Newton and Ben exchanged a nce, their expressions conflicted and grim.
From their solemn faces, Jasper could tell they were about to reveal something important.
Calmly, Newton said, "Jasper, this is the transfer agreement for all the assets and shares under my name. I''ve already signed it. From now on, everything I own will belong to you.
"I''ve also drafted my will in the presence of mywyer, Ben, and my private physician. It is legally valid. No one can alter it, even if they try."
"Grandpa..."
A sharp pain pierced Jasper''s heart.
"I have no control over the shares your father holds. However, with mine and Alyssa''sbined, you will have enough to contend with Justin when the timees. That said, the transfer cannot be a simple handover. It will require approval and voting from the board."
Newton lowered his gaze and pushed another file toward Jasper. "So, this wille in handy when things reach a critical point."
Jasper paused before leaning forward to pick up the file from the table. As he flipped it open and skimmed through the contents, his eyes widened. A few secondster, he shot to his feet.
"This..."
"I should have given that to you earlier," Newton said regretfully. "If I had, things wouldn''t have escted to this point, and Justin wouldn''t have been able to seize control of Beckett Group.
"It''s my fault. I couldn''t bring myself to act against him. He grew up by my side. He lost his mother at such a young age, was kidnapped, and his health suffered because of it...
"I always felt I owed him. I never imagined that by tolerating him again and again, I was only feeding his malice."
Jasper snapped out of his shock and shook his head. "Don''t say that, Grandpa. None of this is your fault."
It was Justin''s fault. He had chosen darkness. He had chosen a path with no return.
Ben stepped in tofort Newton. "That''s right, Mr. Newton. You acted out of love for the younger generation. You didn''t do anything wrong."
makael
"How could I not be wrong? I knew exactly what he was like. Even as a child, he was ruthless and violent. Yet I failed to correct him or make him face the consequences in time. Instead, I cleaned up his mess over and over again. I became his gplice—handling his dirty work every time. My sins are greater than his!"
Newton broke into a fit of violent coughing. Jasper immediately moved to steady
him, while Ben hurried to fetch warm water.
"Jasper... I''m old, and your brother is
Jasper''s eyes reddened. He shook his head repeatedly, unable to speak.
...
That night, Ben saw Jasper out.
"Please wait, Mr. Jasper."
Jasper stopped. "Is there something else, Ben?"
Ben stepped closer and lowered his voice. "There''s something Mr. Newton hasn''t been able to bring himself to tell you. But I believe now is the right time."
He took a deep breath. When he looked up again, his hesitation was gone, reced
by firm resolve. "This is something I witnessed as well. You could even say I was an aplice back then."
Jasper''s thoughts raced. Realization
struck instantly. "Ben, are you talking about the murder case Justin was involved th? At the previous signing event a man disguised as a waiter rushed into the banquet hand tried to assassinate him. Lyse was almost hurt as well.
"That man called Justin a murderer. Is it all connected to this?"
"Yes... Mr. Newton told Ms. Alyssa everything. She chose not to tell you, knowing it would onlyplicate matters the more people learned of it. So she kept it to herself."
Ben closed his eyes, his voice heavy with anguish. "Back then, Mr. Justin killed a young female helper working for the Beckett family. He stabbed her dozens of times. The carpet was soaked red with her blood. Even now, I still have nightmares about that scene."
Jasper struggled to breathe, as if sharp icicles were slicing through his lungs.
Justin stabbed her dozens of times?
Was that something a normal person could do?