Ch. 1601..1610

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1601-While the Schmidts were deep in trouble, Jasper was busy with work. Winston's condition had recently stabilized. After sorting out Winston's matters, Jasper began working to create a charity foundation in Anne's name.

Anne had passed on for years, but Jasper resolved to make the foundation great to show his love for his mother.

"Mr. Beckett, the charity dinner preparations are nearly complete. We'll need your decisions on certain details, such as the venue selection and the guest list." Xavier handed him some documents.

Jasper carefully pored over the documents. He calmly asked, "Any updates on Javier Beckett lately?"

"Nothing suspicious, except for one issue." Xavier leaned forward. He lowered his voice into a whisper. "I looked into Mr. Javier's schedule abroad.

"He was scheduled to attend a business meeting in Furancia for a week. He should have come home to Solana City after that, but he took a detour to Mosgravia."

Jasper lifted his gaze. "Mosgravia?"

"Let's not forget who's residing in Mosgravia." A hint of worry crept up Xavier's face. "Knowing Mr. Javier, he's a selfish man. He wouldn't take a detour for nothing. The only plausible explanation is that he met with Mr. Justin."

"Javier has rarely visited Justin in Mosgravia over the years. It's fine to drop by once in a while to visit him." Jasper redirected his attention to the document in his hold. He seemed uninterested in the update.

"Why did he specifically choose to visit Mr. Justin right after you and Madam won the legal case against Sophia Kirkman and after Mr. Newton transferred his authority to you? This is a massive red flag!" Xavier exclaimed.

Appearing more worried than Jasper, Xavier argued, "Mr. Javier must be worried that you'll garner power. He's afraid that he'll lose control over you, so he wants to side with Mr. Justin and work with him against you!"

"So? Shall I purchase a missile and shoot Javier's private jet out of the sky?"

Xavier mused, "Well, that's not totally out of the question…"

Jasper shot daggers at Xavier. The latter immediately grew nervous and fearful.

Jasper began, "Xavier, did you really think I haven't thought over it?"

Jasper shut the file and let out a frustrated sigh. "I have no complaints, even if Javier prefers to support Justin when Justin's fully recovered. After all, I owe Justin. Besides, he's the eldest son in the family. He should have been part of the top leadership if his health had allowed it.

"That doesn't mean I'll hand my power to him unconditionally. I will engage in a fair fight."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jasper said, "Come in."

Jasper eagerly shot up from his seat. His eyes twinkled. "Or else?"

"Got it." Jasper stared at the lunchboxes. Gulping, he squinted and tugged at his tie.

The assistant left after laying out the lunch on the table. Jasper hurriedly sat on the couch and stuffed his mouth with his favorite dishes.

"Wow, that's really good. How can they be so delicious?" While eating, he gasped and complimented Alyssa's cooking.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1602-Xavier gaped at Jasper, who threw his manners out of the window and gobbled up the food like a farm animal. For a moment, Jasper looked just like Landon.

"See, Mr. Beckett, Madam cares about you a lot. She prepared lunch for you because she knew you'd skip meals when you are busy." Xavier couldn't hold back from boasting and groveling. "You're lucky to have her as your wife!"

"Too bad she wasn't the one who delivered lunch to me." Jasper took a sip of water to help with his digestion after wolfing down lunch. He appeared really hungry.

If Alyssa delivered lunch to him, he thought he might have a chance to satisfy his other desires. The mere thought of it put a grin on his face.

"Madam had always delivered food to you in the past, including desserts. You were the one who banned her from coming in," Xavier taunted with a smirk.

Xavier's remark sent a stabbing pain through Jasper's chest—a lump formed in his throat.

At that time, Xavier's phone rang. Seeing that it was a call from Tsulu, he immediately answered it. He listened for a while, and his face fell.

Turning to Jasper, he gasped, "Mr. Beckett, there is some bad news from the hospital in Tsulu! Three of the residents, injured in the Schmidt Group's forced demolition, died in the hospital last night."

"They died?" Frowning, Jasper looked doubtful. "I thought they were out of critical condition. Why did three of them pass away without warning?"

"Since there are three deaths, the incident is now classified as a major public safety incident. Whoever is in charge of the demolition might have to serve jail time in Tsulu," Xavier analyzed.

Jasper's phone rang at that moment. It was a call from Alyssa. She informed him, "Jasper, the Tsulu authority reported deaths from the forced demolition by the Schmidts."

"Have you heard about it too?" The look in Jasper's eyes hardened. "It's too much of a coincidence for the deaths to happen at this time."

Alyssa's tone grew serious. "The residents were fine and out of critical condition, but three of them died mysteriously in the hospital. Someone must have secretly taken their lives.

"Jameson Schmidt is the only logical suspect because he's capable of secretly carrying out operations in Tsulu. Besides, he has a motive of creating trouble for the Schmidt Group to destroy Josh."

Jasper shared the same thoughts as Alyssa. After some contemplation, it became evident that Josh was the primary casualty in the course of events. All Jameson needed to do was force Victor into a corner. Left without a choice, Victor would then appoint the former as the heir of the Schmidt Group.

"Doing so will deal a huge blow to the Schmidt Group. Is Jameson Schmidt willing to make such a huge sacrifice?" Jasper questioned with a deep, inquisitive frown.

Xavier admired the love shared between the couple.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1603-Xavier was envious of Alyssa. If only he could marry Jasper too!

"Ahem. That's unnecessary." Alyssa's voice softened. "I didn't date you to make you my human shield. I mean, you've done that a few times, but you're only human. Don't risk your life for me. You'll only break my heart."

Heart racing, Jasper grinned widely. At that moment, he'd die for Alyssa.

He said to her, "Lyse, I've finished the lunch you delivered to me."

Then, he embarrassedly turned away. Breathing heavily, he croaked, "Can I enjoy 'supper' tonight?"

Meanwhile, the Schmidt Group was in deep trouble. The Tsulu government, provoked by the deaths, had officially prosecuted the local employees in charge of the demolition. On top of that, the government requested an astronomical amount of compensation from the company.

Aware that the Schmidts were one of the four esteemed families in Cyrris, the Tsulu government extorted a three-billion-dollar payment from the Schmidt Group.

The government couldn't care less for the three deaths. However, they were more concerned by Josh's decision to demolish a site with centuries of history and architecture. The government could make the company pay a dear price for every single brick and tile it destroyed.

The Tsulu government had the audacity to make ridiculous demands for another reason. They banked on the Schmidt Group's attempt to cover up the matter for its reputation and thus had to accept any condition.

Clearing the site for the holiday resort had cost the Schmidt Group a good two billion dollars. Now, the group was forced to pay three billion dollars for compensation on top of the initial development cost. Putting aside the talk on the group's financial ability to withstand the blow, such an incident had already made them the laughingstock of the industry.

The Schmidt Group found itself a debacle all because of Josh's action.

Victor finally had a massive outburst in an emergency board meeting in the afternoon, where he suspended Josh's company presidency.

The suspension wasn't the harshest punishment Josh could have faced as the culprit behind the demolition. It paled in comparison to the jail sentence he managed to evade.

After the board members left, the father and son got into a huge fight in the meeting room. Blinded by rage, Victor hit Josh on the head with an ashtray, causing the latter to bleed from the head.

Grimacing in pain, Josh pressed his tie to stop the bleeding on his head. He then scurried out of the meeting room with a tail between his legs. There, he happened to run into Jameson.

Jameson examined Josh with a smile. Then, he suggested, "Josh, you look badly injured. Want me to call the ambulance for you?"

Jameson's bright smile was a stark contrast to Josh's misery.

Josh's expression turned blank. His eyes flickered.

Jameson continued, "I said that I'd be back. When I'm back, I will make you pay for everything I lost."

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1604-Jameson no longer intended to conceal his evil intentions from Josh anymore.

After all, he couldn't care less for a loser like Josh.

"So… Did you come home to exact your revenge on us? Were you behind what happened to David and Daisy? And now, are you out to get me? You shameless, filthy son of a bitch!" Shaking in anger, Josh was on the verge of a breakdown. "I'll tell Dad all about this! I'll tell him what you've done. He needs to see your true colors and your ugly face."

"I have nothing to do with David's jail sentence. Jasper and Alyssa did that to him. They were also the ones who exposed Daisy. How was I involved in any way?" Jameson laughed at Josh's panicked rant. "Besides, do you think you have any credibility in front of Dad? He can't even stand looking at you. There's no way he'll believe in your nonsense."

His grin sent shivers down Josh's spine. Josh regretted underestimating his rival. He had always dismissed Jameson as an abandoned son sidelined by the family; even if Jameson returned to Solana City, he had no power in the city or within the company and thus did not pose a threat.

To Josh's dismay, Jameson had taken 15 years planning for this day to arrive.

Upon Jameson's return to Solana City, he started setting everything up to defeat all of his siblings.

Since when had Jameson, the naive, innocent boy who had always been bullied, transformed into a beast who devoured its enemies? Whose backing did he receive exactly?

"Son of a bitch! I'll kill you!" Glaring at Jameson, Josh was about to send a punch in his brother's face when the meeting room door flung open.

Victor's secretary gestured at Jameson. "Mr. Jameson, Mr. Victor would like to see you."

Jameson shoved Josh away without warning. Then, he puffed his chest and marched into the room with a smug look.

The moment the door slammed shut, Josh came around and realized that he hadn't dressed his wound. The pain made him fall onto the floor as he pressed a hand against his head.

Victor was taking Nitroglycerin when Jameson showed up in the room. He immediately hid the bottle in his hand upon seeing Jameson.

Jameson began, "Dad, it was all a careless mistake by Josh. The injured residents had been out of critical condition. No one foresaw them passing away."

He walked around to stand behind Victor, where he patted his old man on the back as a comforting gesture. "Such is fate. Please don't be angry at Josh. I have sent my men to the hospital in Tsulu with the payment.

"All we can do now is to satisfy the requests of the families of the dead to the best of our ability. We can only hope to contain the damage by doing so."

"Jimmy!" Victor latched onto Jameson's arm like he was clutching at his final straw of hope. "You're more successful than your brothers and sister. You're the most capable son of mine!

"Tell me. What do we do this time? Thanks to you, we managed to resume a major project that was stalled in Kontina. You're smart; you must have a solution to this situation."

Jameson put on a faint smile. He said gently, "Dad, you're right. I found a solution."

"Is that true? What's your plan?"

"If you would like me to save the Schmidt Group, just agree to one condition— appoint me as the company president."

Alas, Jameson was not Victor's ideal candidate. He was only forced to make Jameson the president because he was at a dead-end.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1605-Jameson shook his head with an intrigued expression. He slowly took a seat across from Victor. "Dad, you and I are businessmen. We all know that an oral contract means nothing. If you make me the company president, I promise to solve all our problems."

Victor's expression darkened. He questioned, "Does that include Jonah Taylor too?"

Jameson replied calmly, "Jonah Taylor must have been behind the stealthy attacks we suffered. Even if you said nothing, I will not allow the Taylors to step all over us."

"Oh?" Victor looked at him warily. "But you claim you want to marry Alyssa Taylor. Do you have the heart to take action against her brother?"

Jameson shrugged helplessly. "Too bad for them. I've always been a fair and principled man."

"Great! It's good to be principled!" Satisfied with the reply, Victor patted him on the shoulder hard. "Jimmy, I'm getting older. Josh is useless. I'll leave the future of the company in your good hands."

"I appreciate your trust. I will not disappoint you." After a pause, he suddenly added in a low whisper, "Dad, please keep our conversation today a secret from Josh. The fewer people in the know, the higher our chance of success."

Three days later, a board meeting was convened in the Schmidt Group. In the meeting, Jameson finally beat Josh to become the new company president.

At the same time, the company officially published the statement on its website.

The media scrambled to publish news stories, confirming and spreading the news on the new president.

The Schmidt Group finally welcomed a new chapter, and Jameson had gotten what he wanted.

Following the company's tradition, the new president would receive a huge welcome in a grand ceremony. However, considering the tricky and scandalous situation the company was mired in, it would be distasteful to host a large celebration, especially when they had blood on their hands in Tsulu.

Therefore, they opted for a simple celebration, which Jameson did not mind at all.

He had status and power. He was influential enough to call the shots in the company. The more power he garnered, the easier it would be for him to carry out the mission that sir had entrusted him with.

Although the Schmidt Group did not host a grand celebration for its new president, Carl had hosted a jaw-dropping, extravagant celebratory party at The Millennium for his employer. The scale of the event was comparable to the inauguration of a new king.

the chairman."

Jameson was at the top of the game in terms of hurting and making a fool out of other people. He regarded everyone in The Millennium as lower beings than himself.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1606-"I looked into the gift. It's more than double the price of the vase you bought him the last time. He clearly thinks highly of you," Carl explained.

Looking delighted, Jameson remarked, "Sir always give the best gifts."

"Not only that, he delivered the medication you needed. He left a message for you. 'Be it the gift or the medication, once it has been given to you, you're free to do whatever you want with them, even giving them out.'"

Jameson immediately grasped the hidden meaning in the message. His eyes gleamed with an unreadable expression.

Carl added, "By the way, per your request, I've reached out to the private secretaries of the mayor of Mazuma City in Tsulu and two influential congressmen. I conveyed our sincere wish to meet with them. You may now choose a date to meet with them in Tsulu."

"Great job." Jameson casually cast a glance at the raucous debauchery downstairs. He spotted Amber seated in a corner in a ladylike manner.

Amber, once a flirtatious and radiant beauty, now displayed an air of loneliness.

It made her appear out of place, which annoyed him to no end.

"I'm busy in the next few days. Get Amber to meet the guests on my behalf,"

Jameson instructed with an impassive look.

Carl silently gasped. "Is she handling them alone? Are you thinking of letting her —"

"Some politicians love money, but some prefer sex. I've never seen any man who isn't tempted by lust after decades of doing business," said Jameson, his tone dripping with disdain and mockery. "Even Jasper, who branded himself a gentleman, fell for Alyssa because of her beauty."

Carl immediately agreed, "You're right! Jasper Beckett is a sleazy prick. What a waste of Ms. Alyssa to date a man like him!"

"I'm different from Jasper in that I love Alyssa for her soul. Growing up with her, I understand her better than Jasper, and I'll cherish her more." Jameson gradually shut his eyes. Alyssa's stunning smile came into his mind.

He thought, "Lyse, it doesn't matter whether you love me, I won't let go of you in this life."

Alyssa lost her appetite and sleep upon learning the news that Jameson had been appointed the new president of the Schmidt Group. It wasn't until 3:00 am that she drifted to sleep in frustration in Jasper's embrace.

"Ah!" He was woken up by Alyssa's shriek.

"Lyse, what's wrong?" He immediately perked up and nervously pulled her into his arms.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1607-"Wet the bed? God no!" Alyssa embarrassedly pummeled Jasper's chest. He appeared fine, even when her fists hurt. "How could you say that?"

He grabbed her hand and rubbed it on his chest. "Fine, it's my fault. My brain froze. I bet I'll be the one wetting the bed when we're old and frail."

Alyssa, who was angrily drawing circles with her fingertip on his chest, suddenly let out a chuckle at his hilarious remark.

He questioned, "Anyway, what's wrong? You scared me for a while just now." He gently caressed her cheek with concern.

"I… I'm on my period." She clutched the blanket tightly and pressed her lips.

Although she and Jasper had slept together and trusted each other, she was incredibly sensitive about her image and strove to carry herself with elegance and discipline.

When they first started having intimacy, she dared not moan loudly due to the embarrassment. It took his patient guidance to break her mental barrier and release her feelings when they were at it.

It was his first time seeing her acting so bashful.

"Are you on your period now? I thought you wouldn't be on it for another week.

That's early." With a serious expression, he slowly flipped the blanket aside. The stained bedsheet and blanket looked like a mess.

"I feel lethargic. Now, I have to deal with the stains. Guess I'm not sleeping tonight." Feeling frustrated partly because of the period, she rested her head on his shoulder.

"It's fine. We have nothing much going on tomorrow. We don't have to wake up early," Jasper softly comforted her and kissed her on the cheek.

He suggested, "Let's sleep in another bedroom. When morning comes, I'll get Mrs. Rosie to wash all the bedsheets and duvets."

"No! That's so embarrassing." She quickly shook her head. The thought of it mortified her.

"Well, we can throw out the stained sheets and get some new ones."

"Why are you throwing out things that are perfectly fine? Anyway, help me change out the sheets. I'll wash the stains out the next morning." With that, she pressed a hand on her lower abdomen and shuffled to the bathroom moodily with her back hunched.

Jasper, feeling sorry, cast a bitter look at Alyssa. Memories flooded his mind, especially fragments from his marriage to Alyssa years ago.

He decided that Alyssa must have been a gold-digger to marry a man who did not love her back. Sadly for him, he did not know that she was truly in love with him.

Smiling wryly, he clenched his fist and punched himself in the chest like dishing out a punishment. He felt slightly better after he coughed from the impact.

After she cleaned herself, she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, but her eyes widened at what she saw. She gasped, "Jasper, what are you—"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1608-"It'll be harder to remove the stains as time passes. I'll give them a quick wash, and Mrs. Rosie will throw them into the machine for a second wash. That'll do the trick," Jasper explained.

He somehow managed to find a huge basin and a tiny stool. At that moment, he sat on the stool, his long legs bent while he scrubbed away at the bedsheet and the duvet.

His tall and slender figure looked comical on the stool.

"Wow, Mr. Beckett, do you know how to do laundry?" Alyssa's eyes sparkled in surprise, almost like she had made a new discovery.

"I always know how to do laundry." It didn't take him long to scrub the blood stains out of the fabric. He flashed a faint grin at her. "How did you think I got my laundry done when I was in military school? It wasn't like I could hire Mrs. Rosie to work for me in the school."

body against his back. Feeling touched, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Don't fool around. You're on your period. Don't hurt yourself." He wanted to respond to her hug, but he did not want to wet her clothes from the bubbles on his hand.

"Jasper, I love you," she blurted out a love confession.

Jasper's heart raced when he heard her proclamation of love. Eyes colored with desire, he gave her a peck on the cheek and replied, "I love you too. I love you very much."

The couple's feelings were mutual. Although they were born into wealth, all they ever wanted was a simple life filled with happiness.

Alyssa groaned and grimaced in pain from the stressful incident at midnight and the period cramps. Jasper had to sacrifice his sleep and massage her abdomen to relieve the pain. He came up with different solutions just to make her feel better.

"Will you finally stop taking copious amounts of coffee and spicy foods? They won't help with the cramps." He playfully pinched her in the waist and grumbled in a low voice.

"Mm… It's hard to stop drinking coffee and eating spicy foods. I'd rather drink pee than drink plain water." She stubbornly pouted.

"Lyse, just listen and behave for once. You should change your diet to manage your cramps and improve your feminine health," Jasper patiently coaxed her.

"Why should I? It's not like I can produce a child." she blurted out her thoughts in between consciousness, unwittingly sending a piercing pain through his heart.

"Lyse, I know you're still upset over your infertility. I'll come up with a way. I'll try everything." Gulping, he hugged her tight and breathed heavily. His eyes misted over. "There are many medical breakthroughs in modern times. There will be a solution somehow."

The more she attempted to comfort him, the more guilt he shouldered. He had a tight feeling in his throat.

After resting into the afternoon, Alyssa felt slightly better. Hence, she suggested that they pay a visit to Winston in Belbanks.

Feeling speechless, Alyssa reluctantly accepted the warm drink, but she definitely felt better after taking it.

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1609-Jasper caressed Alyssa's head with a doting look. "Jameson might appear to have succeeded with ease, but we alone are aware of the people he sacrificed and the lengths he went to achieve his position."

Alyssa gulped and squinted at him. "From the sounds of it, you seem quite understanding of Jamiper's trials and tribulations."

He smiled helplessly. "No, that's not true. I'm merely taken aback by his ruthlessness."

"He eliminated the three Schmidt siblings to claim the presidency of the Schmidt Group he desired. I shudder to think of his next move," Alyssa sighed, massaging her forehead.

"He's insatiable. Merely being president isn't enough for him. His end goal is to replace Victor as the chairman and rule over the entire company." He placed an arm around her waist and pulled her closer with a brooding look in his eyes.

Jasper continued, "That's why Jameson Schmidt will not stop. He will be making his next move. As long as he's up to no good, he will give himself away, and we will have evidence against him."

"Still, I'm worried." She leaned against his chest as a sense of unease gnawed at her. "Jameson was already capable of creating trouble when he first joined the Schmidt Group. With more power now, I fear he may come down harder on you and my family."

"Try me." Looking angered, Jasper gritted his teeth. "If he so much as harms Winston, you, or any of your brothers, I'll make him regret it.

"I haven't forgotten how he targeted Jonah on Shelland Island. He should wait for his imminent demise."

Alyssa let out a soft sigh and locked her fingers with his. She felt sorry for Jasper. His concern for her safety and her family's well-being overshadowed his own near-fatal experience of protecting her on Shelland Island.

She vowed to make Jameson pay for what he had done.

Since Mandy and Julien's late-night conversation, an uneasy atmosphere had settled over Heightsnew Villa, affecting the dynamic between Julien and Jonah.

Julien was as stubborn as a donkey. After Mandy requested that he leave, he went against her wishes and silently protested by sticking around.

Jonah seemed busy lately. He worked into the night at his office at KS Group.

Julien would wait for him at home from morning until late at night.

When Jonah arrived home, he always showed up with Clark or Sean by his side. On the rare occasions when Jonah was alone, Julien attempted to engage him in conversation, only to be met with a slammed bedroom door.

Feeling rejected and ignored, Julien spent many lonely nights smoking by the window until dawn. Dark circles formed under his eyes, and his complexion turned pasty.

Jonah left his bedroom with a serious face, having dressed for the day. He immediately bumped into Julien.

Julien's voice cracked from nervousness. "Jonah!"

Jonah stopped dead in his tracks. He glared at Julien, asking, "Why are you here?"

Can’t Win Me Back Chapter 1610-Jonah stared blankly at Julien, even though he was emotionally affected. Did Julien really spend the entire time waiting for him?

Jonah pondered whether Julien had truly foregone sleep and lingered by the door solely to catch a glimpse of him.

He gathered his thoughts and clenched his fist.

Julien pleaded, "Jonah, did I do or say something wrong? Tell me. Please." He could no longer stand Jonah's cold shoulder. His voice shook in nervousness as he attempted to hold Jonah's hand.

Jonah suddenly took a step backward to dodge Julien's move. Julien felt a shiver down his spine. He called out, "Jonah…"

"Dr. Lovelace."

Julien's eyes wavered upon hearing that. "What did you just call me?"

"Dr. Lovelace." This time, Jonah sounded more distant than before. He seemed to have reverted into the once arrogant eldest son of the Taylor family. "Thank you for your service. My dad's condition has stabilized.

"You have been in Belbanks for a long time. You haven't had a chance to visit your family, am I right? Why don't you go home?"

Julien felt like he was punched in the gut. His hand froze in the middle of the air.

"What did Aunt Mandy say to you?"

Jonah shook his head. "This has nothing to do with Mandy. You're overthinking it."

"If so, why are you kicking me out just like she did?" Julien sounded pitiful. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Jonah, I do not want to go home. I do not want to go abroad. All I want is to stay by your side forever on whatever ground and status.

I will give up everything just to be with you. You're all I want!"

Jonah teared up, but he insisted in an icy tone, "Dr. Lovelace, you may stay at Heightsnew Villa for as long as you like if you wish to keep Mandy company.

"By the way, I will leave for Solana City tonight for a short stay. Moving forward, I'll get busy as the KS Group kicks off its racecourse hotel project in Mosgravia. I might have to take frequent business trips. So, make yourself at home."

With that, Jonah spun around swiftly with a determined and heartless attitude.

Seeing that, Julien rushed over and hugged him with all his might. Tears rolled down his face as he wailed, "Jonah, are you dumping me now?"

Jonah felt suffocated. He opened his mouth.

"Jonah, please don't dump me. I'll do anything you want me to in exchange for your attention. Please…"

Julien, once a haughty playboy, humbled himself in front of Jonah in a desperate effort to retain Jonah's affection.

"I never thought of dumping you, Dr. Lovelace, because we never belonged to each other in the first place." Jonah, standing with his back facing Julien, made more hurtful remarks. "You are as free as a bird. There's no need to give up on that freedom for me.

"I'm the president of KS Group and a devout Christian. I can never be with you, given my social status and my religious beliefs. Even if I choose to marry and have kids, my partner cannot be of the same sex. Please don't waste your time on me."

The painful words stumbled out of Jonah's mouth effortlessly, each word hurting more than the previous one. He was turning the knife into Julien's wound.

"Jonah, Julien."

The two men were caught by surprise when they heard Mandy's voice.

Jonah's mind went blank, and his jaw tightened. He forcefully removed the hand that Julien placed on his waist. Holding his breath, he lifted his gaze in a panic.

Mandy stood some distance away from them. She looked calm and composed, as though she did not just witness their intimate exchange.

"Mandy," Jonah croaked.

Mandy pursed her lips. She turned to address Julien, "Julien, Aidan's here to pick you up."

Julien's shoulders sank. He felt as though he was free-falling into a bottomless abyss.

The man's eyes were downcast. His frequent glances at his wristwatch indicated that he was impatient.

Jasper frowned. He failed to recognize the man right away.

The man looked up when he heard the footsteps. He showed no surprise at Alyssa and Jasper's arrival and made no effort to stand up and greet them.

What an arrogant man!

Alyssa calmly approached the man with a smile. She courteously extended a handshake. "Mr. Lovelace, it's nice to meet you."

Jasper looked at Alyssa in shock. Then, he shifted his gaze to the stranger, whom she referred to as Mr. Lovelace. Could he be.