Javier stood rooted to the spot, his face drained of all color. It was as though lightning had struck him; as if his soul was wrenched from his body, his blood turning to ice. All strength to resist Justin vanished in an instant.


    Since childhood, Newton had always favored his second son, Chester, over Javier. Chester was dependable, kind-hearted, generous, and highly capable.


    Javier, as the eldest, was no lesspetent. Yet as the years passed and both brothers grew into adulthood, their differences became increasingly apparent- especially after they began taking over the family business.


    Newton never held back in praising Chester. In fact, he even started considering entrusting key projects at Beckett Group to him.


    Though Javier never voiced his discontent, resentment quietly festered beneath the surface. As the eldest son, he had always believed that inheriting the Beckett family legacy—and Beckett Group-was his rightful future.


    But Chester''s very existence became a constant thorn in his side.


    Every time Chester secured a major project and earned Newton''s praise at executive meetings, Javier would silently clench his fists. Sweat would dampen his back, his chest tightening with suppressed emotion.


    If that had been all, perhaps he could have endured it. But Chester always had to respond with that same humble smile. Rising to his feet, he would nce at Javier with sincere gratitude shining in his eyes and say, "Truth be told, I couldn''t have secured this project without my father''s guidance and Javier''s help. Half the credit belongs to Javier."


    To everyone else, Chester appeared modest, genuine, and grounded. To Javier, however, those words were suffocating.


    Though they were brothers by blood, a seed of malice had taken root within him— silent, unseen, and steadily growing.


    So when Newton was investigated in a bribery scandal years ago, Chester stepped forward without hesitation. To steady thepany and protect their ailing father, who was chairman at the time, he took the me and served a two-year prison sentence.


    But Chester''s sacrifice became the perfect opportunity for Javier to eliminate the threat once and for all.


    "Mr. Justin! Are you trying to drag Mr. Javier down with you because you can''t ept that he''s forcing you to turn yourself in for murder?"


    Rory''s heart hammered wildly, his palms slick with sweat. Without hesitation, he stepped in front of Javier, shielding him.


    "That was nearly 30 years ago!


    You''re digging up Mr. Chester''s


    death now just to threaten Mr. Javier and save yourself. Do you have any evidence? If not these are nothing but baseless usations!"


    Eden scoffed. "If Mr. Javier was truly innocent, how could he be threatened at all?"


    Rory flew into a rage. "Shut up! This isn''t your ce to speak!"


    "There, there, Denny," Justin saidzily. "You have indeed overstepped. This is a family matter among the Becketts. Outsiders shouldn''t interfere."


    He calmly pulled his phone from his pocket and continued, "It''s true that 30 years have passed since Uncle Chester''s death. But evidence doesn''t lose its value just because time has passed.


    "Take DNA traces or fingerprints on a murder weapon-they may degrade over time, but they don''t lose their significance."


    With that, he pressed y.


    Javier''s and Rory''s voices filled the air-their entire conversation from decades ago, when they had conspired to eliminate Chester.


    Though they were now nearing 60 and their recorded voices sounded much


    younger, they were unmistakable. Even Javier and Rory froze, momentarily stunned as they heard themselves.


    The recording cut off abruptly.


    Justin slipped his phone back into his pocket with casual ease. "Even after 30 years, the recording is still perfectly clear. Dad, what do you think would happen if I sent this to the police? Would they reopen the case?


    SWIT


    "Time may have erased the physical evidence and Uncle Chester''s body may be long gone, but none of that changes the truth-you murdered your own brother.


    "If this gets out, who do you think will face judgment first? You or me? Which one of us will end up in prison first?


    "And what if Grandpa finds out? He''s 80 years old. If he learns his eldest son killed his favorite, youngest son out of jealousy and hid it for 30 years... do you think he could survive that shock?"


    All color drained from Rory''s face. He stood there, utterly speechless.