Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_21
Chapter 21
“I’d never fall for the same trap twice!” Alyssa’s determination was unwavering as she sat in her office, her fingers poised over the keyboard. She was done playing nice. She wouldn’t let anyone use her as a stepping stone again—not even Jasper Beckett.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a series of messages from the “Taylor Family’s Secret Society,” the group that always had her back when it came to business dealings and family matters. The messages brought a sense of urgency—and satisfaction—that tingled beneath her skin.
Jonah: “Lyse, remember how they exposed the dirt on you yesterday? They’ve been deleted now, including the accounts. Jasper did it.”
Alyssa couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude, even if it was fleeting. She had to admit, Jasper had pulled the strings to clean up her image. For now.
Alyssa: “Wow, I’m so grateful to him.”
Axel: “What? Does he think everything’s settled just because they’ve been deleted? Naive.”
Liam: “Too bad the Beckett Group’s stock price only had a small effect this morning.”
Silas: “Lyse, even if we can’t do anything to him right now, we should teach the Gardners a lesson.”
Alyssa’s eyes narrowed, her lips curving into a cold smile. The game was only beginning, and she was going to make sure the Gardners felt every bit of it.
Alyssa: “That’s for sure. I hold grudges, and they must pay.”
She immediately dialed Sean, her trusted confidant. She knew he’d be the key to turning the tables on the Gardners.
“Sean, spare me a moment,” she said with purpose when he answered.
Sean was quick to enter her office, his professional demeanor evident. “You called for me, Ms. Alyssa?”
“Have you prepared the materials and evidence I told you about?” Alyssa asked, her tone sharp as she twirled in her seat, eyes glinting with anticipation.
“Yes, everything is ready. I can hand them over to the relevant department whenever you say,” Sean replied, his face a mask of composure.
Alyssa held up a hand. “No need to rush just yet. I have something else in mind.”
Her gaze hardened as she crossed one leg over the other, a slow, deliberate movement that gave her an air of command. The sunlight from the window highlighted her features, adding a sheen to her already powerful presence.
“Reach out to the media we have connections with, like Belbanks Media,” she instructed. “Just give them a hint of what’s going on, but don’t give them all the details. We’ll let the story simmer and see how it catches fire. After that, we’ll decide on our next step.”
Sean furrowed his brow, unsure of the plan. “But getting the media involved could complicate things. Why not catch the Gardner Group off-guard? Wouldn’t that be better?”
Alyssa’s lips curled into a slow smile, one that held both danger and promise. “I have my way of doing things. I don’t strike immediately. I prefer to crush and torment my prey slowly, making it bleed out, piece by piece.”
Her fingers stroked the crystal bracelet her grandfather had given her, a symbol of her lineage and the power that ran through her veins. Her gaze hardened, as if she could already see the Gardners squirming under the weight of the information she was about to release.
“The Gardner Group will face consequences,” Alyssa continued, her voice cold. “Once I reveal the incident, they won’t have a choice. The Gardners won’t be able to salvage their reputation. And Liana… she’ll have no option but to beg Jasper to save her family.”
Alyssa’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Jasper Beckett, I can’t wait to see you getting anxious about your fiancée’s problems.”
The next evening, the storm Alyssa had been planning hit like a bombshell. The exposé was released, and it spread like wildfire, igniting the online world within the hour.
“Breaking News! KS Group Terminates Contract With Gardner Group Due to Serious Quality Problem!”
“Cutting Corners? Using Inferior Materials? Gardner Group’s Elysian Home Presents Substandard Products.”
The Gardners were completely blindsided by the news. Their PR department scrambled, unable to control the flood of negative comments that overwhelmed their channels. People were furious.
“Gardner Group? Isn’t that Jasper’s second fiancée? I can’t believe they let this happen right before the wedding. Are they trying to set the Becketts up?”
“I thought she found someone rich. She’s just someone selling furniture, an underhanded seller at that!”
“I know it’s not her fault. It was her family, but I’m kinda disappointed.”
“Oh, no! The new furniture I just ordered is from Elysian Home. I have to return them. What bad luck!”
Jasper, who had been reviewing reports in the study, felt a headache brewing as the news reached his ears. Xavier, his loyal assistant, entered the room with the latest updates.
“The Taylor Group holds a prestigious position as Wibez’s VIP. They lead the way in various industries, standing atop the pyramid,” Xavier said, his voice laced with amusement. “If the Taylor Group chooses to take action against the Gardner Group, other companies will have no choice but to follow suit.”
Jasper’s head throbbed. He had been prepared for some backlash, but not this level of chaos. “The stock price is already plummeting. At least, the Gardner Group isn’t publicly listed.”
Xavier finished his report with a raised eyebrow. “Your grandfather has high blood pressure. I’m afraid this news might push him over the edge.”
Jasper shot him a glare, but Xavier wasn’t deterred. “It’s just an accusation. No evidence. This might be a baseless rumor,” Jasper muttered, trying to quell the rising sense of frustration.
“Where did this quality problem come from?” Jasper asked, a faint suspicion beginning to form in his mind.
“I heard the KS World Hotel has a newly appointed female general manager. She’s the one who ended all collaboration with the Gardner Group. Within a week, every hotel working with KS has canceled their contracts,” Xavier said, watching Jasper closely.
“How can a mere general manager have so much power?” Jasper scoffed, though a cold feeling settled in his stomach.
Xavier’s eyes glinted. “Because she’s Mr. Taylor’s daughter—Alyssa Taylor.”
Jasper’s breath hitched. The name seemed strangely familiar. A name from the past, one that sent ripples of recognition through him.