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Novel Catalog
Chapter_3
The Heightsnew Villa in Belbanks, home to the Taylor family, stood tall against the night sky, its lights glowing warmly in the distance. As the Rolls-Royce glided smoothly to a stop on the red carpet leading to the entrance, Silas hurried out to greet his sister, his face breaking into a wide smile.
“Welcome back, princess!”
Alyssa stepped out of the car, her delicate features glowing under the bright lights. Her sneakers had been replaced with a pair of elegant heels, transforming her into a vision of poise and grace, fit for royalty.
“How have you been, Silas?” she asked, her voice steady but soft.
“Better now that you’re home,” Silas responded with a grin. “Did you enjoy the fireworks? The birthday gift I arranged really turned heads—it even trended on social media!”
Alyssa arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, I saw it. People were speculating that it was a tycoon trying to woo his wife. Some even called you corny. Congratulations on your new achievement, Silas,” she teased, clapping her hands sarcastically.
Unfazed by her sarcasm, Silas threw his arms around her in an enthusiastic hug. “Lyse, you won’t leave us again, will you?”
“No. He divorced me. Why would I leave now?” Alyssa patted him gently on the back, her expression softening. But then, a sigh escaped her lips. “I feel like I embarrassed you all. For three years, I thought if I kept pushing, kept trying, I could make him fall in love with me. But in the end… I failed miserably.”
The bitterness of those three years weighed heavily on her, but she buried it deep inside. She had sworn never to shed another tear for Jasper once she left the Becketts’ house. It simply wasn’t worth it anymore.
Silas’ face darkened. “That bastard Jasper Beckett! How dare he treat my sister like that? I’m starting a full investigation into the Beckett Group tomorrow. I’ll have Axel deal with that jerk.”
Jonah, who had been quietly listening, muttered a soft “Amen.”
Alyssa laughed lightly. “Don’t get carried away, Silas. You’re a public prosecutor, remember?”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Lyse,” Silas retorted, tugging at his tie in frustration. “I won’t let this go. He can do whatever he wants to me, but he can’t touch my sister. If he dares to make a move, he’ll always be on my radar.”
As they walked into the house, Alyssa linked her arms with both Jonah and Silas, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging that she had missed.
Inside the study, the usually stoic Winston Taylor could hardly contain his excitement when he heard his daughter was back. Despite his stern demeanor, a look of genuine happiness lit up his face as he paced around in anticipation.
“Dad! I’m back!” Alyssa’s voice rang out as she entered the study with her brothers.
In stark contrast to her calm and refined behavior in front of the Becketts, Alyssa threw herself onto the sofa, kicking off her heels with an almost rebellious air.
Jonah, always the doting brother, sat next to her and gently placed her legs on his lap, beginning to massage her feet.
Winston, trying to maintain his usual serious posture, grumbled. “Where are your manners, Alyssa? Did you go off to become a doctor with Doctors Without Borders again? Were you off saving lives in some backwater village?”
Alyssa gave him a playful look, raising an eyebrow. “Is this the onset of Alzheimer’s, or are you just noticing how I am for the first time? It’s not like this is your first day being my father.”
Her eyes then flicked to the wall, where a few old posters she had made more than a decade ago were now framed. She was stunned.
One of the posters read, “Do you think you’re Adonis? Having multiple wives doesn’t make you attractive!”
Another said, “Better take care of your health now that you’re old, or you might die of a stroke.”
The third one said, “Please show yourself some respect. Thank you.”
These were wedding gifts she had given her father on his third marriage, mocking his decision to have multiple wives.
“Well, well,” Winston muttered, clearly trying to hide his frustration but failing. “After being gone for three years, the first thing you do is curse your old man. What a considerate daughter I have.”
Alyssa laughed, unbothered. “Thank you for the praise, Daddy.”
Jonah, sensing the tension, quickly shifted the topic. “We should get down to business now that Lyse is back.”
Alyssa shot her brother a confused glance. “Business?”
Jonah’s tone grew serious as he continued, “I’ve decided to step down as president of KS Group. I want Lyse to take my place.”
Alyssa froze, staring at him in disbelief. “You… what?”
Winston, taken aback by the announcement, could only stare at Jonah, speechless.
Jonah remained unfazed, his voice calm. “I’ve promised to serve as president for three years, and now that those years are up, I need to return to my true calling—being a pastor. You know that’s always been my dream.”
Alyssa blinked, trying to process it all, but Winston was already trying to make a counteroffer.
“Let Silas take over then,” Winston suggested, though his frustration was evident.
Silas quickly objected, his voice filled with panic. “No, no, no! I’m in the government. I can’t have any ties to a huge corporation like KS Group. What if I get investigated?”
Winston let out a deep sigh, feeling defeated. He had hoped one of his sons would step up to inherit the empire he had built, but none of them seemed willing to take on the responsibility.
“Well, since none of you will do it, I guess it’s up to me,” Alyssa said, her voice filled with quiet confidence as she straightened her back. “I’ll take over KS Group.”
Her words hung in the air, defiant and bold.
Winston’s face hardened. “Do you think it’s that simple? KS Group is no joke. You think a kid like you can run this company? Do you even know how to manage a business?”
Alyssa met his gaze head-on. “I know I can handle it. And most importantly, you’ve always said you recognize talent. Well, here I am.”
Jonah smiled, tipping his head toward their father. “Do you remember the financial crisis four years ago? Lyse was the one who suggested the solutions that saved the company. And it was Lyse who worked through the night to come up with the acquisition plan for the Willow Group.”
Silas chimed in, “She’s always been the brightest among us. You’ve always been good at recognizing talent, Dad. Now, you’ve got it right in front of you. Why not use her?”
Winston paused, considering their words. After a long moment, he finally nodded. “Alright. I’ll give you a shot. Consider it my birthday gift to you.”
Alyssa’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her heart racing.
“Rest up for a few days. After that, we’ll take you to Solana City’s KS World Hotel to get you started. If you can turn this company around and make it profitable again, then I’ll consider you for the presidency.”
As they left the study, her brothers flanked her, both wearing proud smiles.
Jonah clapped her shoulder. “Great responsibility only falls on those who are worthy of it.”
Silas shook his head, smirking. “The old man really knows how to make a mess for you to clean up.”
Alyssa clenched her fists, her inner ambition stirring. “The more pressure he puts on me, the stronger I’ll get. I’m ready for this.”
Her brothers exchanged a knowing look, their smiles widening.
“My dear sister,” Jonah said. “We’ll leave our future freedom in your hands.”