Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Alyssa was simply teasing Jasper by playing coy. After all, she trusted him completely. However, her playful joke backfired. Jasper panicked, dropping to one knee with a serious expression. "Lyse," he declared solemnly, "I, Jasper Beckett, swear my loyalty to you. You are the only woman I love, the only one I desire, in this life, the next, and the one after. If I ever break this vow, may lightning strike me down!"

"Alright, alright, Jasper, I was just kidding!" Alyssa couldn't bear to see him like this. She tried to cover his mouth, but he grabbed her hand tightly.

"It's true that I went out last night. I went to The Millennium with Axel and Cyrus."

Alyssa's eyes widened in alarm. Her voice trembled as she cupped his cheek. "Oh my word, why didn't you tell me? Did something bad happen?"

"Don't worry, everything's fine," Jasper reassured her, taking her hand and stroking it gently. "Axel found the person who hired the hitman to kill Mrs. Novak. It was Jameson's secretary, Carl Moses."

"You were still asleep when he called. I couldn't wake you, but I was worried about Axel's safety. So, I rushed over. I wouldn't have let you go anyway."

Alyssa's heart melted. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead.

"Unfortunately, Jameson had taken precautions. He terminated operations at The Millennium and dismissed everyone. He, along with Carl, left Solana City overnight. In fact, they're already out of the country." Jasper gritted his teeth in contrition. "It was my fault. We were too late."

Alyssa's heart sank. "How... How about Amber?"

"She left yesterday. According to the female escorts there, she is getting married to Carl."

"What? In that case, Axel-"

the moment." Worry clouded Jasper's eyes. "The only one who can help him is Ms. Altman, and the only way for Axel to get back on his feet

not easy on her. It's

might've been. She didn't care about that at all. All she hoped for was that she could have a smooth and bright

Lyse," Jasper soothed, wiping away her tears. "We won't give up on finding Ms. Altman or helping Axel.

sit beside her on the bed. She leaned into him

smile gracing his lips. He felt captivated by her, like a

he gave her question careful

criminal, so I wouldn't need to hide. Even

good analysis," Alyssa agreed, resting her head on his arm. "I wouldn't be surprised

more difficult. It means that he is going back

his success in Kontina. Kontina was the land that made him prosper, and more than that, it was his original

to try," Alyssa insisted through gritted teeth. "We can't let him get away this time! I'll contact Miley

causing widespread unease. News of their chairman's sudden disappearance spread rapidly in Solana City, making

from the

the Investigative Bureau's

just an upturn. It was

stop the

Silas barked

frantically