"Tonight?" Gustav blurted out—not in fear, but in sheer surprise. "I-I haven''t prepared anything."


    "You don''t need to," Justin said calmly. "I''ve already arranged everything."


    He slowly opened his eyes, a cruel smile curling at his lips. "Head over there now. Intercept their vehicle and take them out on the spot. You won''t need to worry about anything else. Someone will handle the aftermath.


    "I spiked their drinks earlier. The drugs should be kicking in soon. All you have to do is finish the job."


    Still puzzled, Gustav frowned. "Then why not just poison him outright? He was on your turf. Wouldn''t that have been easier?"


    Justin let out a coldugh, "Mr. Holm, since you''ve chosen to follow me, shouldn''t you prove your worth? If I do everything myself, what exactly are you here for?"


    Gustav''s expression stiffened. "Understood. I''ll catch up with them now."


    "As long as you get rid of him tonight, ten million dors will be transferred to your ount immediately."


    Gustav''s eyes lit up. Gratitude quickly reced hesitation as he nodded eagerly and hurried off.


    Once he was gone, Eden stepped forward. "What about the cleanup, Mr. Justin? Should we dispose of the bodies at sea, bury them, or..."


    "You won''t need to do anything."


    Eden blinked in surprise. "But if the authorities find Zachary''s body and investigate, they''ll uncover his identity and realize that he was the fugitive who was swapped out years ago.


    "Not only that, he is someone of status. It won''t take much digging to link him back to you. If that happens, you''ll be under scrutiny. Isn''t this too risky?


    "And don''t forget—Mr. Jasper and the Taylors are already watching you closely. We shouldn''t be handing them leverage."


    "Who said I wouldn''t act? Just wait. Tomorrow will make everything clear." A cold, ruthless glint shed in his eyes. Rising to his feet withposed elegance, he said, "Come upstairs with me. Let''s see how she''s doing."


    The room upstairs reeked of blood and sweat. A dim bedsidemp cast a dull reddish glow, and the air felt thick with despair.


    Sheryly face down on the bed,pletely still and naked, breathing shallow and uneven. Her back was marred with raw, bloodied wounds, the marks of repeatedshes tearing through her skin.


    Eden turned away, unable to bear the sight.


    He had never liked Sheryl-her arrogance, her sharp tongue-but they had worked together. Seeing her reduced to this state stirred something uneasy in him.


    A chill crept down his spine.


    The remains of Sheryl''s red dress, ck stockings, and undergarments were scattered across the floor in tatters the bed, used issues carried the unmistakable scent of Zachary—and throughout the wreckage, there wasn''t a condom in sight.


    Sheryl was nothing more than a vessel in human form, a cheap container for every


    bit of filth that perverted Zachary had poured into her.


    Justin, however, remained indifferent. He walked to the bedside and stopped,


    looking down at her without a trace of emotion.


    Sheryl''s finger twitched weakly before falling still again. It seemed she had sensed


    his presence, but she was too exhausted to even lift her hand.


    "You may leave," Justin said quietly, his gaze fixed on her.


    "Yes, Mr. Justin."


    Eden cast onest nce at Sheryl before quickly leaving the room. The door shut behind him, and silence settled heavily in the space.


    "You must have a lot of questions," Justin said atst.


    In that stifling atmosphere, the glee in Justin''s eyes was jarring. His tone was casual rxed as if the night of torture Sheryl had endured were perfectly normal. "Though I doubt you''ll like the answers."


    "Why... Why''d you... do this... to me..." Sheryl''s voice was a ragged whisper. Her eyes swollen and raw from hours of weeping, spilled over with fresh tears. The hatred glistening in them only made her appear more fragile worked so hard for you was loyal. Why... Why did you treat me like this?"


    Justin''s gaze remained cold and unmoved. "I gave you a second chance at life. Without me, you''d have rotted away in some gutter in Mosgravia long ago. You''d be a million times worse off than you are now.


    "You and Remy were both useful to me. Remy offered his strength and his sweat for me. You? The only currency you have to offer is your body."