After parting ways with Alyssa, Jasper frowned as he stared into the night through the car window on the way back.


    Xavier eximed, "What did you say? Sheryl... is Liana?"


    The revtion struck like a bolt of lightning. Xavier mmed his foot on the brake, bringing the Maybach to a violent stop.


    Jasper, caught off guard, lurched forward and nearly hit the seat in front of him.


    "Don''t you know who Liana and Sheryl are?" Jasper asked, straightening his posture. "You''ve been through all sorts of twists and turns. Why are you so rattled?"


    He tugged at his tie, frustration simmering within him. "I know who they are, but finding out they''re the same person-it sends chills down my spine. My throat''s dry just thinking about it."


    Xavier mmed his hands against the steering wheel, honking the horn by ident. "Damn it! Is Liana some kind of curse for you? Why does she keep haunting you like a ghost? Should I call in a sorcerer to perform a ritual or something? You''ve been ridiculously unlucky!"


    Jasper''s gaze dimmed. In a hoarse voice, he said, "At the end of the day, Sheryl exists because of me. I have no right toin."


    Faded memories shed through his mind-emotionless and cold. He recalled the times when Liana had stood beside him, as well as the conflicts that tore him and Alyssa apart.


    Those ruthless fragments pierced his heart like shards of ss.


    Suddenly ovee by emotion, he instinctively pressed a hand against his chest. But the pounding within wouldn''t stop it ached.


    "Mr. Beckett, don''t say that. You were deceived by that evil woman too. You''re a victim here!"


    After a beat, Xavier asked in confusion, "How did you find out that Sheryl was Liana?"


    Jasper parted his lips to answer, and the word "Lyse" almost slipped out. Realizing that it would sound a little inappropriate, he quickly corrected himself.


    "It was Alyssa who discovered that something was amiss."


    Xavier''s eyes widened with awe. "How did she find out?"


    "One can change their face and voice, but their habits and mannerisms are ingrained. They slip through when you''re not paying attention."


    A glint of admiration flickered in Jasper''s otherwise frosty gaze. "Alyssa had been quietly watching her for a long time. Once she was sure, she ran a DNA test in secret and confirmed they were the same person."


    Xavier let out a long breath. "Honestly speaking, sometimes I feel like Ms. Alyssa''s sole purpose in this world is to save you. If it weren''t for her... I don''t even want to imagine."


    Jasper said nothing. His heart felt hollow, like nothing could fill the emptiness inside.


    "What now?" Xavier asked. "Now that you know, what do you n to do about Sheryl?"


    "I''ll let her keep acting for now. If I expose her, it''ll only alert the enemy and force her to retaliate openly." Jasper''s expression darkened. "I''m not afraid of hering after me. In fact, I wish she woulde at me right away. What I fear is..."


    He fell into a prolonged silence.


    Xavier nodded, taking a deep breath as he sensed the weight behind the pause. "Got it. I''ll keep an eye on her and report anything suspicious right away."


    Ever since Alyssa joined Beckett Group''s board of directors with 10% ownership and publicly announced her withdrawal from thepetition for Project A5, the news had spread like wildfire throughout Sna City''s business world.


    Within days, headlines about her appointment were stered across financial news outlets. It even became a trending topic on Instagram.


    Prior to this, KS Group had been Beckett Group''s fiercest rival in the bid for Project A5. With KS Group now out of the picture, Beckett Group stood alone at


    the top.


    Overnight, Beckett Group''s stock


    price soared. It hit the limit-up threshold, staying solidly in green. Though bidding hadn''t even begun, thepany had already amassed billions in investment.


    Even after a scandal had put him under scrutiny, Justin not only retained his position as president, but he also delivered massive gains for Beckett Group, which ha@been lying low for some time.


    Alyssa was instrumental in all his failures and sesses. As the saying went, in the business world, there were no permanent enemies-only permanent interests.


    While Justin basked in his triumph, Alyssa bore the brunt of criticism for her decisions.


    "What the hell is wrong with this woman? Why is she getting involved in everything?"


    "Exactly. One day she''s passionately defending Jasper in a press conference, and the next, she''s teamed up with Justin. What''s her angle?"


    "What''s her angle? She''s just greedy. She still wants Jasper, but also wants Justin''s power. She wants it all-so shameless!"


    "I bet Justin cut her a deal. That''s why she dumped Jasper and jumped ship."


    "Damn. So Jasper was stabbed in the back despite everything he''s done? I feel terrible for him."


    Alyssa scrolled through thements from the president''s office at KS Group, her expression hard and icy.


    This was the oue she had predicted. Yet, seeing it unfold still left a bitter taste in her mouth.


    This was only the beginning of the price she would have to pay. Darker roads awaited her.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.


    "Hey, Jonah," she answered tly.


    "Lyse, are you free tonight?" Jonah asked, his tone tinged with concern.


    "No, I don''t. What''s up?"


    Jonah paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "Dad''s condition has worsened. He''s back in the hospital. After thinking about it, I figured you should know."