"Lyse!"


    Justin, who was usually calm,posed, and elegant, rushed toward Alyssa as though nothing else in the world mattered.


    As Sheryl watched the drastic change in his demeanor, her lips pressed into a thin line. Jealousy roiled violently in her chest.


    Why? Why was it always like this?


    Jasper-a man so dazzling, so proud and untouchable-had once lowered himself repeatedly for Alyssa, even cing her above his own life. Now, even Justin, a man with a god-like presence and bearing, was willing to humble himself for her sake.


    Alyssa was a minx by nature, born to ensnare men. If her mother were still alive, she would surely have been the same kind of femme fatale. Alyssa had inherited that wicked bloodline without a doubt.


    Before Justin could get anywhere near Alyssa, Ss and Liam blocked his path.


    Ss red at him with bloodshot eyes and roared, "Justin, you scorpion! Do you have no shame in showing up here? What kind of damn medication did you give my father? What the hell are you trying to do?"


    Justin met his gaze calmly, his tone sincere and restrained. "Of course, I hoped Mr. Winston would regain consciousness as soon as possible. I share the same wishes as all of you."


    Ss let out a harshugh. "You? The same wishes as us? Don''t be so fucking shameless. We''re Winston''s children. Who the hell do you think you are?"


    Sheryl shot Ss a furious re. "Mind yournguage, Mr. Ss. Do not insult Mr. Justin like this."


    Ss snapped back instantly, "And who do you think you are?"


    Sheryl''s face flushed crimson. "Why, you—"


    Justin, however, remained unmoved. His gaze was deep and unreadable, revealing nothing of what he was truly thinking.


    Standing beside Alyssa, Axel stared strai at Justin. A bitir chill radiated from him as his fists clenched tightly at his sides, his knuckles cracking audibly.


    Alyssa inhaled deeply and gently tugged at the hem of Axel''s shirt, signaling him to stay calm.


    It wasn''t just because beating Justin senseless would not force him to reveal Amber''s whereabouts. Deep down, Alyssa was terrified that if Axel provoked him, Justin would vent his fury by escting the torture Amber was suffering in captivity.


    After all, Justin was a schemer-a hypocrite as venomous as a serpent. He was fully capable of such cruelty.


    Despite being the younger brother, Liam was noticeably calmer than Ss. He stepped forward, his handsome face cold and restrained. "Mr. Beckett, please don''t take offense at my brother''s words. Our father has regained consciousness, he is now suffering from memory loss. He couldn''t even recognize his favorite child-Lyse."


    White


    Shock flickered across Justin''s face. "He''s experiencing memory loss? How could that "


    Behind him, Sheryl''s lips curled into a calcting smirk.


    Served Alyssa right.


    Not only had Jasper lost the ability to love her, but even her own father had also forgotten her. Wasn''t this exactly the retribution Alyssa deserved for opposing her, for stealing Jasper away?


    At that moment, Abel emerged afterpleting Winston''s examination.


    "Dr. Liverton, how is my father?" Once again, Alyssa was the first to charge right up to Abel, her bloodshot eyes wide with


    desperation. "Why is he experie


    memory loss? Is it temporary Hen recover after some time, won''t he?"


    Questions spilled from her lips one after another, even as her mind frantically


    formed answers she could barely ept.


    Her mind was at war with itself.


    Herposure, rationality, and intelligence had all failed her. She was trapped in a


    vicious spiral of overthinking, tearing herself apart.


    "I''m sorry, Ms, Alyssa." Abel sighed


    heavily, his expression grave. "I''m afraid I can''t give you a clear answer. Although Mr. Winston has regained consciousness,


    Can


    definitively say when his memories wift return."


    Everyone froze. This was the answer they feared the most.


    Alyssa''s restraint finally shattered. Her hoarse voice echoed down the corridor as she cried out, "What do you mean you can''t give a definitive answer? Isn''t there a time frame?"


    "It could take a month... perhaps a year. Or perhaps—"


    Her eyes turnedpletely red. "Or perhaps... he''ll never recover them. Isn''t that what you''re saying?"


    Abel lowered his head, unable to respond.


    A violent thrum exploded in Alyssa''s mind. It felt as though the ground beneath her had split apart and the sky had copsed.


    Her vision went ck, and the next instant, her slender body crumpled to the floor like a feather falling from a bird''s wing.


    "Lyse!"