Eden led Gustav out of the gambling den.


    As expected, a top-tier Rolls-Royce was parked across the street. Even in the dim light, its sleek, gleaming body radiated wealth.


    As the two approached, another bodyguard stepped out of the car. Without a word, he pulled out a bottle of air freshener and sprayed it directly at Gustav''s face.


    Gustav choked, coughing violently until tears welled up in his eyes. He raised his hands to shield his face, but the bodyguard sprayed him several more times, dousing him from every angle as if preparing him for a grill.


    "What the hell? What the fuck are you people trying to do?" Gustav snapped.


    Eden offered a faint smile. "My apologies, Mr. Holm. Mr. Beckett is a germaphobe and dislikes the filth from underground gambling dens. Please bear with us."


    With that, he opened the car door and gestured for Gustav to get in.


    Gustav climbed into the car, suppressing the fury burning inside him. But the moment he saw Justin, an inexplicable sense of intimidation crept over him.


    Gustav had once been a ruthless thug who made even billionaires tremble. He had lived a life steeped in blood and violence. Yet now, he felt a chill toward this pale, seemingly fragile young man-something others would find hard to believe.


    s, the man before him was no longer the frail 16-year-old he used to torment. Though Justin''s pallor remained, he had grown into someone who exuded quiet menace.


    "Long time no see, Mr. Holm," Justin said casually, not even sparing him a nce, as if Gustav were beneath notice.


    He covered his mouth and nose with a white handkerchief, his disgust unmistakable.


    "It has been a long time. Almost 20 years, hasn''t it?" Gustavposed himself and crossed his legs, casting a mocking look at Justin''s calm face. "That pitiful, scrawny boy from back then is now the president of Beckett Group. Time really flies."


    Justin pressed his pale lips together, a cold, vicious glint shing briefly in his eyes. "It does. I never expected you to have the nerve to return to Sna City, Mr. Holm."


    "I was worried about you, my old friend. So, I came back to see how you''re doing. After all, we once worked together, didn''t we, Mr. Beckett? Even if it didn''t end well, what''s done is done. You can''t erase it from memory."


    Gustav narrowed his clouded eyes, his wordsced with implication—a reminder that Justin had orchestrated Jasper''s kidnapping.


    Back then, Gustav''s greed had driven him to switch targets, using Justin to demand ransom from the Beckett family. In the end, it led to the downfall of his entire gang. He became a wanted man and spent 20 years in hiding.


    Now, he had finally returned to Sna City, weary of life on the run. More importantly, Zachary had summoned him back to stir trouble for Justin.


    Of course, Justin saw through Gustav''s motives. He knew Gustav''s boldness came from having Zachary backing him.


    Zachary intended for Gustav to be like a de hanging over Justin''s head-ready to fall at any moment. It was a calcted reign of terror, designed by Zachary to keep him cowed andpliant.


    That was exactly the kind of move he expected from his illustrious uncle.


    Once, Justin had believed Zachary would help him seize power. Now, it was clear he had only ever been a pawn in Zachary''s ns.


    Since that was the case, there was nothing left to hesitate about.


    "Mr. Holm, the fact that I invited you into this car means I''ve let go of the past." Justin concealed the hatred in his eyes and offered a faint, insincere smile I have a preposition for you."


    "What is it?" Gustav asked.


    "I know Uncle Zachary sent you to hold me back, but someone of your talent would be better off working for me than for that psychopathic ex-criminal who might one day be the world''s most wanted man. I can offer you far more than he ever could.


    "I know you have long desired to stay in Sna City. I''m the only one who can make that happen. My uncle will only keep using you as a pawn to threaten me."


    Gustav hadn''t expected Justin to see through him sopletely. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.


    Justin''s gaze darkened. "Besides, everything my uncle has now came from me. I was the one who covered for him—who found a scapegoat to take his ce in prison. Without me, he''s nothing.


    "As for me, I need nothing. I''m my grandfather''s eldest grandson—the rightful heir to the Beckett family. One day, everything the Becketts own will be mine.


    "And the kidnapping from 20 years ago? Who still cares? I was just a kid. They couldn''t persecute me then, and they certainly can''t now The evidence isng gone. What


    could anyone possibly use against me?"


    A heavy silence filled the car, so thick it felt suffocating.


    After a long while, Gustav seemed to reach a conclusion. His eyes lit up again as he drew a deep breath. When he looked at Justin, there was a trace of eptance in his gaze.


    "After all these years, you''ve be quite the schemer, Mr. Beckett."


    Justin smiled faintly. "Thanks. I''ve grown up. Those childish days are long gone behind me."


    Once again, he emphasized that he had been nothing more than a kid when he showed Jasper no mercy-as if that alone could erase his crimes.


    Gustav, never one to waste words, got straight to the point. "So, Mr. Beckett, what do you want me to do?"


    Justin let out a low cough, staring ahead as his eyes turned bloodshot.


    "I want you to get rid of Zachary for me."