Inside the lounge, Justin removed his zer, revealing the pristine white shirt and ck vest beneath it.


    Alyssa''s eyes widened slightly. Justin''s clean, white shirt was riddled with slits from shattered ss. Jarring, ghastly bloodstains soaked the fabric, leaving her at aplete loss as to where to begin treating him.


    "What''s wrong, Dr. Alyssa? Why are you so stupefied?"


    Justin curled his lips upward faintly, panting lightly. Even at a time like this, he was still teasing her. He continued, "Didn''t someone say she was an amazing surgeon? Aren''t you going to treat your patient''s external injuries?"


    "Thank you, Mr. Beckett. Thank you very much." Alyssa snapped back to her senses and let out a bitter chuckle despite herself. "If you hadn''t shielded me earlier, I''d be the one pierced by ss and looking like a porcupine right now."


    "Lyse." Justin leaned over the armrest of the couch, resting his sharp chin on his crossed arms. In a warm, low voice, he said, "All my life, I''ve been seen as a useless weakling. A nobody. Call it a desire to prove myself or whatever else you want.


    "I just want to protect you. Now that you and Jasper have separated, I want to protect you and give you a sense of security on his behalf. Even though I''m not a fighter like he is, I''ll do my very best. Even if it means sacrificing my own life."


    This was, unmistakably, a confession of love.


    Yet Alyssa simply stared at Justin from behind, her expression unreadable and unmoved.


    A useless weakling? A nobody?


    And yet, he had dismembered an innocent woman in his youth. In Mosgravia, he had been capable of making countless people serve him without question.


    Even confined to a wheelchair, he had framed Jasper repeatedly and manipted Jameson to seize control of both the government and the business world of Sna City, plunging everything into chaos.


    It was all a facade, masking the devil''s real scheme. Justin''s performance was wless, fooling the entire world. But Alyssa saw right through it.


    Instead of recoiling from his sudden confession, she offered him a gentle smile. "I don''t want you to give up your life for me, Mr. Beckett. What would be of Beckett Group if something happened to you?


    "I still intend to do business with you, make a fortune, dominate both the political and business spheres, and reach the pinnacle of sess. So please don''t put yourself in danger for my sake again. I''m capable of protecting myself."


    Justin merely smiled, saying nothing.


    Alyssa changed the subject. "That assant was quite intriguing. Not only did hee here tomit a crime, but he also said so many nonsensical things. Did he really think anyone would believe him?"


    Justin''s eyes darkened slightly. With a faint smile, he asked, "Do you believe he was lying? What if he was telling the truth? That would mean you''re in thepany of a terrifying murderer. Aren''t you afraid?"


    "I don''t believe his ims, Mr. Beckett. Don''t murderers have to pay for their crimes?


    If you had truly killed someone, how could you have hidden it all this time? Even Jameson was punished for what he did. Sna City isn''t awless ce."


    Trust filled Alyssa''s eyes as she looked at Justin. In a casual tone, she continued, "Actually, I''m more inclined to find out which rival i?. stirring trouble behind the scenes. Otherwise, why would they choose to strike during the banquet celebrating our partnership? It feels like there''s more going on."


    Justin let out a sigh and thanked her sincerely. "Thank you for believing me, Lyse."


    It was as though his hands were spotless and his conscience perfectly clean.


    Alyssa forced a smile. "I wouldn''t have chosen to partner with Beckett Group if I didn''t trust you. Don''t forget that we''re in the same boat now. We''ll either rise together or sink together."


    "Don''t worry, Lyse."


    All of a sudden, Justin turned over and sat up, gripping Alyssa''s hand tightly. She was still holding a cotton swab. The bluish-green veins on the back of his hand bulged, revealing. his intense desire and possessiveness. "In our world, the sun will never set. I''m certain our future will be absolutely glorious."


    Alyssa froze. She forced herself to suppress the revulsion churning inside her as she allowed him to hold her hand.


    "Ms. Alyssa!"


    Fortunately, Sean arrived just in time. He paused briefly when he took in the scene before him, then said calmly, "The ambnce is here. Get Mr. Beckett to the hospital immediately."


    ...


    In the VIP section of the hospital, Justiny in a private ward as his injuries were cleaned and bandaged. Outside, Alyssa, Sean, and several Beckett Group subordinates waited.


    "Here you go, Ms. Alyssa," Sean said, handing her a packet of alcohol-based wet wipes.


    Alyssa took them at once and pulled out a sheet. She frantically wiped the hand Justin had held earlier. In total, she went through ten wipes, scrubbing until her fingers turned red.


    "Contact Cyrus. Tell him to keep the man under close protection. None of the police officers can be trustedè now. Who knows if Justin''s people Have already infiltrated them tell be troublesome if that man is silenced in secret," she instructed in a low voice.


    Sean nodded firmly. "Understood, Ms. Alyssa. I''ll inform Mr. Cyrus right away."


    As soon as Sean left, the sharp ck of hurried heels approached.


    When the Beckett Group staff saw who it was, they straightened immediately and greeted her respectfully. "Good day, Ms. Gillis!"