Frowning deeply, Newton began, "Justin..."

A troubled expression clouded Justin's face, and he offered a bitter smile. "Sorry, Grandpa. I'mpretty useless. I can't be of help to you and Dad. Not only do I fail to take charge of the company,I'm perpetually sick.

"I've been pondering something repeatedly. Life might have been better if I hadn't experienced thatkidnapping. If I were more selfish and escaped on my own, would things be different now?"Newton grappled with complex emotions but spoke warmly to Justin, "Justin, please don't entertainsuch thoughts. I know you've endured a lot. It was an unfortunate incident. I genuinely feel bad foryou because you're my grandson. I love you and Jasper deeply.”

"Who do you love more, me or him?" Justin threw a tricky question at Newton.

Seeing Newton momentarily stunned, Justin smiled. "You don't have to answer. I understand. It'sfine. I won't be upset. As Jasper's elder brother and the eldest of the Beckett Group, I'm willing tosacrifice everything, even my life, to fulfill my duty.

"Despite missing you and Dad and blaming myself in the past, I've never regretted risking my life tosave Jasper from the kidnappers.”

Newton pursed his lips, burdened by worries.

"If I hadn't helped him escape, the both of us might end up dying from torture. One of us had tolive to take over the Beckett Group and take care of you and Dad. Don't you think?" Justin mused."Justin, I... I will always owe you one because of that incident. I hope you don't hold grudges againstJasper. Don't blame him for it. He was just a clueless young child back then," pleaded Newton, whofor once put aside his ego as the patriarch of the family.

An inexplicable smile flashed across Justin's pale face. It was a serpentine smile that eerily playedwith Newton's psychology.

"Grandpa, who are you talking to?" Jasper approached Newton with a hand on Alyssa's waist.Newton's hand froze midair while holding the phone, and he looked flustered.

"Jasper, are you here?" Justin said with a smile.

Alyssa picked up on Justin's deep, mellow, and distinctive voice.

"Justin?" Jasper exclaimed in astonishment.

Justin gently asked Newton, "Grandpa, may I speak to Jasper? I haven't seen him in a long time, andI miss him."

"Jasper, Justin wants to speak to you," Newton said, deliberately asking for Jasper only. He wantedto keep Alyssa from meeting Justin.

Jasper went up to Newton. His handsome face appeared in the video call as he said, "Justin, I'mhere."

"You still look as energetic and as handsome as ever, unlike me..." Justin's speech was punctuatedby intermittent coughs, which he tried hard to suppress.

Then, he flashed a contented smile at Jasper. "Sorry for that. I made a joke out of myself in front ofyou and Ms. Alyssa."

Jasper looked taken aback. Alyssa, too, overheard Justin's comment.

"Grandpa, Crescent Bay must be very lively tonight, right? Jasper, Ms. Alyssa, and Ben had dinnerwith you and played fireworks. I can imagine how lovely it is.”

Newton's face stiffened. Justin had always been sensitive and shrewd from a young age. He was alsoequally smart as Jasper.

However, Justin was very different from the honest and upright Jasper. Although he always wore asmile, one could not tell if he was being genuine or faking it.

His words played with one’s mind, causing one to wonder about his undertones.

Jasper stared at Justin gently. “Justin, I'll replace time to visit you in Mosgravia with Grandpa. Let's havea reunion.”

"Will you bring Ms. Alyssa to see me?"

Silence hung in the air. Justin, who had always been reserved, posed a direct question that causedJasper to frown bitterly.

Jasper grappled with his complicated emotions, uncertain if Justin wanted to see him or Alyssa."Gosh, no need for the trouble! Alice is right here. Let's get it over with. You can meet her throughthe video call.” Newton then waved at Alyssa. "Alice, come and meet my eldest grandson andJasper's brother, Justin.”

Alyssa hesitantly joined Jasper. Justin immediately saw a matching couple in front of him.

Justin's smile deepened as he examined Alyssa's outstanding beauty. "Jasper, you're lucky to havesuch a beauty by your side. Oh, I should call her my sister-in-law now."

Justin's tone sounded earnest, not flirtatious. He seemed to be genuinely complimenting Alyssa.Jasper merely pressed his lips without a word.

"Justin, nice to meet you,” said Alyssa with a smile.

She had deliberately sounded more distant in the way she addressed Justin to establish theappropriate boundaries.

"I've met you before. This is not our first encounter,” replied Justin with a raised brow.

Emotions flickered across Justin's gentle face.

Jasper felt his heart leap to his throat as he clenched his fist.

Alyssa countered calmly, "Justin, if I'm not wrong, this is our first encounter. Isn't it?"

"Yes, this is the first time you met me, but it's not my first time meeting you," Justin explained with afaint smile. "I met you a few years back. No, it was way before that. Alyssa, you're more popular thanyou know.

"I might be living in Mosgravia, but I visited your jewelry exhibition many times. I had the honor towin the bid for a few items for my collection. Just like what the young ones would say—I'm a fan ofyours."

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