Can’t Win Me Back

In that dimly lit room, Justin's face turned completely gloomy. Still, he stared at Zachary with a blank, emotionless gaze, as still and chilling as death itself.

When their eyes met, Zachary felt a twitch in his eyelid, followed by an unsettling chill that crept down his spine, raising goosebumps across his skin.

"What exactly do you think I know, Uncle Zachary? I'm afraid I do not understand." Justin narrowed his eyes sinisterly.

"Wow, as expected of the Beckett family's eldest son. You've picked up most of Javier's acting skills, haven't you?"

Zachary took a slow, deliberate drag from his cigar. He knew Justin's health was fragile, but still, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke in his direction, daring him to react.

*20 years ago, you orchestrated the whole kidnapping scheme. You hired Gustav and his gang to abduct you and that bastard Jasper. You thought you could play both sides-secure a hefty ransom worth over a hundred million dollars, and throw in an extra 50 million for good measure. Quite a fortune back then, huh?"

Justin listened with an eerie calmness, his gaze as hollow and unfeeling as ever, as though Zachary's words held no weight.

a kidnapping with Gustav, intending to kill Jasper in the process,' Zachary continued. "At the time, Javier was just a figurehead, with Mr. Beckett Senior holding all the power in the Beckett Group. And ever since Jasper became a part of the Beckett family, your standing has been steadily declining.

you came up with a plan to kill two birds with one stone. Eliminate Jasper, the obstacle to your inheritance and your attention, and, by also playing the victim, win back your grandfather's favor. At the same

devised a plan that killed two birds with one stone.

into a thin smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Zachary's compliment, if it could even be called that, made

human greed. Gustav betrayed you, tumed you into his hostage, and planned to use you as leverage to extort more money from the Becketts. A cruel smile spread across Zachary's face. "In the end, Gustav realized Jasper was nothing but an illegitimate child,

you went for wool but came home shorn or

I suppose your time in prison has made you a bit more cryptic

he was Gustav's target, he didn't hesitate to act. He stayed behind, enduring unimaginable torment at the kidnappers' hideout,

make him stay regardless, Justin decided to at least make the best of the situation

himself in harm's

stir emotions-a brother's

Newton, Javier, and Jasper to feel the weight of regret and guilt for