"Let''s give the new pharmaceutical research center further thought. Meeting adjourned."


    Justin''s face was as pale as a sheet and as cold as ice. Unable to continue the meeting, he stood by the window after everyone left, backlit by the light, staring at his dimmed phone screen with a vicious gaze.


    A few minutester, another call came in from a private number. He swiped to answer and slowly raised the phone to his ear, his jaw tight and sharply set.


    "Oh, Justin, my dearest nephew, I thought you were too afraid to answer my call," said Zachary mockingly.


    Justin curled his lips into a stiff smile, as if it had been carved into ster with a knife. "Of course not, Uncle Zachary. Not when you''re my mother''s only living rtive. I was in a meeting earlier, so I couldn''t answer."


    "I suppose you''re a busy man now, Mr. Beckett, upied with all your work. I was just wondering whether you''re truly capable of managing the corporation you plundered."


    A dark gloom surged in Justin''s eyes, as though a violent ferocity was about to erupt.


    "The fact that I made it mine through my own abilities proves I can secure my position just the same. Thanks for your concern, Uncle Zachary."


    "Alright, alright. Just as expected of my sister''s son. Those of the Dutton bloodline are no ordinary people." Zachary maintained a lighthearted tone, revealing nothing of his true emotions. "Someone is sitting on the couch in the lobby of Beckett Group''s office building right now. He is my gift to you."


    Justin raised a brow. "Who is it?"


    "An old friend of yours. Go downstairs and see for yourself."


    Zachary hung up without waiting for a reply.


    Soon after, Sheryl was summoned to the president''s office.


    "What can I do for you, Mr. Justin?" she asked, her demeanor submissive and respectful.


    After what happened at Domere Mountain, her fear of Justin had only deepened. She used to admire and worship him, hoping to repay his kindness and earn his approval through her achievements. But now, those hollow feelings had vanished. She lived in fear, walking on eggshells just to keep herself safe.


    In a frigid voice, Justin instructed, "There''s a man sitting on the couch in the lobby. Go downstairs, stay out of sight, and take a few photos for me. Make sure no one notices you."


    Though puzzled, Sheryl nodded and carried out his orders.


    Less than 20 minutester, she returned. cing her phone in front of him, she said, "Here you go, Mr. Justin. Is this the man you meant?"


    Justin nced down. Shock shed across his widened eyes as he shot to his feet. "M-Mr. Justin... What''s wrong?"


    Sheryl was stunned. She had never seen him so panicked. Who was the ordinary- looking man?


    Justin stared at the in, expressionless face on the screen, terror surging in his deep, still eyes.


    That kidnapping incident had happened 20 years ago. Yet the moment he saw that face, memories long buried surged back, vivid as if it had all happened yesterday.


    Justin walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, his face ghostly white. With his back to Sheryl, he called Zachary.


    "That was quick. It seems you''ve seen my surprise," Zachary said with augh clearly delighted by Justin''s reaction,n''t it your birthday in early March? Since it''sing up, consider this my birthday gift to you."


    "Why did you send that man here? What are you trying to do?" Justin''s chest tightened, his expression dark. "I''m still young. My memory is perfectly intact. You didn''t need to go this far."


    "Ever since you returned to Sna City, your progress has been unusually slow. As you know, I''m not a patient man. I''m growing restless."


    Zachary''s voice turned cold. "Don''t forget your promise-to take over Beckett Group. You swore you''d get rid of that old bastard in the Beckett farmly the one responsible for my sister''s death-your mother cand Jasper, the bastard child of that bitch and Javier.


    "After that, you were to make me the next chairman of Beckett Group. But so much time has passed. What have you aplished? You haven beven won over the young Tady from the Taylor family. Erankly, I''m beginning to doubt your capabilities.


    "Or have you been stringing me along because you intend to go your own way?"


    "Not at all, Uncle Zachary. I wouldn''t be who I am today without you," Justin replied with a forced smile. His chest felt so tight it made him nauseous.


    "Since you care so much, prove it."


    Though his eyes turned icy, Justin agreed without hesitation. "Just tell me what you need. I''ll make sure it''s done."


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