But in the end, this was all Remy''s fault. He was the traitor.


    With Remy as her scapegoat, Justin would likely not be too harsh on her, even if he held her ountable for the disaster.


    After all, he had lost Remy-one of his right-hand men. He would have to keep her, his remaining right-hand confidant, close.


    In the dimly lit study on the top floor of the six-story manor, Justin''s usual elegance andposure had vanished. In their ce was an unprecedented fury bordering on madness.


    The study looked as though it had been ravaged by war. The destruction was appalling.


    Sheryl stood there, pale as a sheet, trembling uncontrobly.


    "Get on your knees."


    Justin stood by the window, gripping the sill so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand bulged. The tension in his neck and shoulders was unmistakable. Even beneath his white shirt, his muscles quivered faintly.


    Sheryl could not clearly see his expression. Fortunately, she could not-otherwise, she might have been terrified out of her wits.


    "Mr. Justin, all of this... all of this happened because of those traitors-Remy and Number 72! They joined forces with outsiders!"


    Sheryl dropped to her knees with a dull thud. She crawled toward him from behind, keeping her body low and her head bowed, not daring to lift her gaze.


    "I waspletely unaware! Who could have known that Remy secretly allied himself with the Taylors and Jasper? He must have intended to betray you long ago. He''s been plotting this for a very long time!"


    "Completely unaware?"


    Justin turned slowly. His handsome face was icy, his pale lips curling into a chilling smile. "If that was the case, why should I keep you with me? What use would that be?"


    His voice suddenly sharpened. Without warning, he kicked Sheryl hard in the chest, sending her crashing several feet away.


    Pain exploded in her chest, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.


    no trace of


    Justin showed no


    sympathy. Disdain flickered in his eyes as he looked away. He grabbed the pills on the desk, shoved them all showed


    into his mouth, crushed them between his teeth, and swallowed without expression.


    "Has Remy regained his memories?"


    He coughed dully, suppressing the bitterness wing at his throat.


    Sheryl staggered to her feet,


    swallowing the blood pooling in ker mouth - don''t know... B-But think he''s simply switched sides. I don''t believe he has regained his memories."


    "And the core experimental data?"


    "We have secured all of it. The experimental subjects have been eliminated."


    "And there are no survivors?"


    "Not a single one."


    Justin''s expression eased slightly, though his mood remained dark.


    Theboratory base had been destroyed; the loss was immense. His kingdom of shadows had suffered an unprecedented blow.


    It seemed that no ruler was invincible. Bing the exception would be difficult-


    especially with opponents like Jasper and the Taylors standing in his way.


    Justin suppressed another cough. A


    wicked grin spread across his pale lips as he let out an eerieugh. "How fascinating. Truly fascinating. This is how the game should be yed. What joy is there in defeating a weak opponent?"


    Sheryl felt her blood turn to ice. Goosebumps prickled along her skin as cold sweat beaded on her forehead.


    She had once regarded Justin as a savior—a god who had pulled her from despair. But at this moment, he seemed more like a devil dragging her straight into hell.


    Just then, in the dim silence of the room, the phone on Justin''s desk suddenly rang.