Immediately, Eden and Rory pulled out their phones at the same time to check the news. A momentter, their expressions fell in unison.


    They cried out together, "It''s bad news, Mr. Beckett!"


    "What is it now?" Javier snapped impatiently.


    With a grim expression, Rory nced at Justin, studying him intently. Though he wanted to report everything to Javier, Justin''s cold, sinister gaze sent a chill down his spine. Under that immense pressure, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.


    Unable to wait any longer, Javier snatched the phone from Rory''s hands. The next moment, it felt as though a bomb had gone off in his head, leaving it buzzing.


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. "What is this? An innocent young woman was stabbed over 20 times and murdered? Someone reported that Justin killed a female helper in our family 20 years ago, and that our entire family covered it up?


    "They''re urging the authorities to investigate this as soon as possible, and they''re calling for the police to reopen the case to bring justice to the victim and her family?"


    He was shocked, stunned, and in utter disbelief. Even his eyelids twitched uncontrobly from sheer rage.


    Furious, he hurled the phone straight at Justin''s chest. "What the hell is this supposed to mean? The murder of a female helper? And they''re using the entire family of covering it up?


    "Where did thise from, Justin? Why are you suddenly involved in a murder? What else are you hiding?"


    As furious as Javier was, he only threw the phone at Justin''s chest. If it had been Jasper, he would have aimed straight for his face without holding back.


    It wasn''t because he loved Justin more than he loved Jasper. Rather, it was because he harbored an inexplicable fear and wariness toward Justin-the man who carried the blood of the Duttons.


    It was as if the man before him—though he had watched him grow up-might lunge


    at him at any moment, grab him by the throat, and snap his neck.


    Justin lowered his gaze, expressionless. Casually, he picked up the phone from the couch and scrolled through the trending news, looking utterly bored.


    His eyes remained calm, without the slightest hint of surprise or unease.


    That was because every word written there was true. He had done all of it. The only thing he hadn''t expected was this double blow-that the mastermind would choose this moment to twist the knife by exposing the incident.


    "Come on, say something! What the hell is going on?" Javier demanded, his face flushed red with anger. His blood pressure spiked, and even his head felt hot.


    "There''s nothing much to exin. Someone''s just trying to add insult to injury."


    Justin ran his tongue over his teethzily, then tossed the phone onto the coffee table. Crossing his legs he exuded a demeanorpletely different from his usual gentle and refined image. It was as if he were an entirely different person.


    "Someone saw I was already in trouble and decided to take the opportunity to drag me down further by stirring this up. It''s nothing to get worked up over."


    Rory couldn''t help but shudder at the sight of Justin''s rough, unruly demeanor. All of them—including Javier-had been deceived by this man. Perhaps this version of him was his true self all along.


    "I''m getting worked up over nothing? You''ve beenbeled a fucking murderer. How can you say that?" Javier roared, clutching his chest in anger It says the report was filed specifically against you The fact that they dared to name you proves they must have solid evidence of you killing that helper.


    "Did you really kill that woman, Justin? When did it happen? Who helped you cover


    it up? Why didn''t I know anything about this?"


    Justin let out a low chuckle, though there was no warmth in his eyes. "You''re quite amusing. Why would you expect me to announce it to the world after killing someone?"


    The air in the study froze. A pin-drop silence filled the room.


    "W-What do you mean? Are you saying the report is true?" Javier stammered, stunned.


    "Yes, it''s true. But so what?"


    Justin raised his hand and idly adjusted the dark ruby cufflink on his sleeve as he continued, "More than 20 years have passed. Her body is gone. The weapon is gone. Any evidence is long gone as well.


    "Besides, I was a minor back then. So what if I killed her? Don''t worry. They won''t be able to convict me."