Justin had never been in optimal health to begin with, relying on medication for years just to keep his condition stable. On top of that, he had been detained at the police station for over ten hours.


    It was nearly one o''clock in the morning by the time he returned to Seaview Manor.


    Ever since he was a child, he had regarded Javier as a useless father. In fact, deep down, he had never truly seen him as his father at all. Everything about their rtionship had merely been a means for Justin to strip Javier of his power and authority and achieve his ultimate goal.


    Now, utterly exhausted, Justin had no energy to deal with Javier. After arriving home, he headed straight to his room to rest, leaving Eden to handle him.


    After taking so many lives in recent days, the weight on Justin''s heart was overwhelming. Nevertheless, having reached his physical and emotional limits, he fell into a deep sleep the moment his head touched the pillow.


    He dreamed of watching his mother shoot herself in the head, the bullet tearing through the back of her skull. Once again, he saw her copse stiffly beside the pond, fresh blood flowing into the water and staining nearly half of it red.


    He had been just a child then-barefoot, with a fleece nket draped over his shoulders. He stood before Caroline''s wide-eyed corpse, staring at her nkly for a long time.


    He dipped his foot into the bone-chilling water, slowly swirling it through the crimson surface. There wasn''t a trace of fear in him. Instead, Caroline''s blood gave him an inexplicable sense of warmth.


    From that day on, he became obsessed with the scent of blood-a craving he could never shake.


    "Mr. Beckett? Mr. Beckett?"


    Eden''s voice pulled him out of the eerie dream and back into reality. Justin opened his weary eyes and raised an arm to shield them from the harsh light.


    "What time is it?"


    "It''s almost noon, Mr. Beckett. You''ve been asleep for a long time. I couldn''t wake you no matter how much I called-you really scared me."


    Eden studied his pale face with deep concern. "You don''t look well. Are you feeling okay? Do you need your medication?"


    Justin''s tone suddenly turned


    casual. "Denny, Remy betrayed me, and Sheryl eventually turned against me. Even my own ungle treated me as nothing more than a disposable pawn.


    "What about you? Will you betray me one day?"


    Eden''s eyes widened at the question. After a moment, he lowered his gaze.


    "I won''t."


    A faint, strained smile appeared on Justin''s face. "Really?"


    Eden took a deep breath, as if suppressing something in his voice.


    se I know. betraying you


    at a great cost That''s why


    won''t."


    The smile on Justin''s face deepened. "You''re an honest man. I like honest people."


    He had


    ays believed that no one


    in this world was truly kind without


    reason. Kindness


    came from


    motive-or, at very least, from fear.


    At that moment, a knock sounded on the door. Rory''s low voice came from outside.


    "Mr. Justin, are you awake?"


    Justin frowned.


    Eden replied coldly, "He just woke up. What is it?"


    "Mr. Javier is asking for you in his study. He wants to speak with you."


    ...


    After washing up and changing, Justin made his way to Javier''s study, with Eden following close behind.