Alyssa, riding in her Rolls-Royce adorned with the Spirit of Ecstasy, made her way toward Belbanks.


    Sean, seated in the passenger seat, nced at the rearview mirror repeatedly, his concern for Alyssa deepening with every look. She appeared dreadful—her face as pale as a white rose trembling in the freezing wind.


    There was a profound loneliness about her, as though she were on the verge of wilting away.


    Cautiously, Sean asked, "Ms. Alyssa, are you... are you alright?"


    Alyssa leaned her head against the icy car window. As the trees shed past outside, Jasper''s bandaged hand surfaced in her mind.


    She exhaled heavily, her chest feeling stifled as the wrenching pain in her heart intensified. Was he badly hurt? Was he in pain? Would his daily life be affected?


    He had already taken a bullet to the shoulder, been struck in the back by an arrow, and swallowed life-threatening medication that damaged his central nervous system -all because of her.


    With yet another injury added to the list, would he truly be able to endure it?


    Alyssa''s eyes reddened. Suddenly, she lurched forward, covering her face with her hands, overwhelmed by pain and self-reproach. It felt as though she had never brought anything good into Jasper''s life.


    Ever since they met and fell in love, all she had done was drag him into danger and put his life at risk. How could she be so useless?


    "Jasper... I''m sorry. I''m so sorry..."


    Burying her face in her hands, tears slipped through her fingers, falling one after another. "Someday, you''ll get me. Even if you never do, that''s fine too. Just forget about me slowly... just like this..."


    By the time she arrived at the hospital, breathless, Jonah, Ss, and Axel were already there. Even Liam had managed to leave the military district and arrive just in time.


    Among Winston''s wives, L and Colene were present. Tatiana was there as well, carrying her chubby, adorable child, whom she had given birth to less than a month earlier.


    Cyrus, however, was absent. He was tied down at the station, still interrogating the man who had attacked Alyssa and Justin.


    There was one more person who was absent-Mandy.


    "Lyse!"


    When they spotted her, Alyssa''s family immediately gathered around her, stroking her face and gripping her arms, worry etched clearly across their expressions.


    "We heard that you were attacked at Berenike Hotel today. You weren''t hurt, were you?"


    "Who attacked you? Why would they target you?"


    "I''m fine, everyone. Really, I''m fine." Although Alyssa forced a smile, it felt as though an enormous weight was pressing down on her chest, crushing her over and over again. "That man was likely a victims family member. Justin was his real target. Since I''m working closely with Justin, it was inevitable that I''d be dragged into this. That being said, I was mentally prepared."


    "Shit, it''s that scorpion again!" Ss cursed angrily. "Justin is a walking jinx. Anyone


    who crosses paths with him ends up unlucky!"


    Everyone fell silent. Alyssa and Jasper had separated, while Winston was still unconscious; countless troubles still loomed over them Even so, the Taylor family''s inherent wit and courage in facing adversity still shone through.


    "Lyse, I''ve applied for leave from the organization. Let me be your personal bodyguard for now," Axel said hoarsely as he stepped forward, his face pale.


    Ever since Amber went missing, he had suffered from severe insomnia. He searched for clues every day, only to return empty-handed each time.


    Concern flickered in Alyssa''s eyes as she looked at him. Axel was still alive, yet he no longer resembled the energetic and arrogant man he once was.


    "Don''t worry, Axel. I''m capable of protecting myself. And even if I couldn''t, that wicked Justin would now risk his life to protect me," Alyssa said with a carefree grin. She could not allow Axel to stay by her side. For one, she feared that if he ever lost control, he might personally assassinate Justin-bringing everything to a disastrous end.


    Secondly, after so much effort, she had finally gained Justin''s trust. If Axel became involved, all her hard work would be for nothing.


    She was utterly exhausted.


    No matter how much her heart ached or how terrible she felt, she had to remain calm and rational. The strain was wearing her down.


    "Lyse, what''s going on with that man?" Jonah asked anxiously.


    "I''ll exin itter. How''s Dad doing right now, Jonah?"


    The mncholy that had clouded Jonah''s face for far too long finally lifted, reced by a flicker of joy.


    "ording to Dr. Liverton, Dadimet


    showing signs of regaining. consciousness. not today, then maybe tomorrow. He might actually wake up, so I informed everyone in the family to be here when he does."