Ch. 2431..2440

Chapter 2431 "I will take it if my condition flares up," Remy said, his voice devoid of emotion as he stared blankly at the bottle in his hand.

With a feigned smile, Sheryl replied, "Sir instructed me to ensure you took the pill."

A chill ran down Remy's spine. Knitting his brows together, he questioned, "But why?"

"This is Sir's order. Why are you questioning it?" Sheryl's smirk turned cold and mocking." What, are you afraid Sir has ill intentions toward you? Have you lost your trust in him?"

Remy held his breath. "No, that's not it."

"Remy, swore before Sir to serve him loyally for the rest of your life. You pledged to give him your very being. You haven't forgotten that, have you?' Tilting her chin slightly upward, Sheryl shot him a frosty sidelong glance. "Even if Sir fed you poison, shouldn't you take it without hesitation? Why are you hesitating? Don't disappoint Sir.

The suffocating pressure in Remy's chest intensified. It felt as though someone had a rifle trained on him, forcing him to retreat step by step toward the edge of a cliff. One more step, and he'd plummet to his death.

Clenching his jaw, he opened the pill bottle.

Under Sheryl's watchful gaze, he popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed it.

Very good. Always remember that you work for Sir. Never forget where you came from. With a mocking scoff, Sheryl turned on her heel and marched away confidently.

Remy moved forward, his expression unreadable.

Though he appeared unchanged, his pace quickened gradually. The moment he reached a blind spot in the security cameras, he broke into a sprint.

Rushing into a restroom stall, he locked the door. Kneeling in front of the toilet, he jammed his fingers into the back of his throat, his eyes wide and bloodshot.

His sides convulsed violently, his back arching as he vomited the contents of his stomach- blue pill included-into the toilet bowl.

Shivering uncontrollably, Remmy wiped at the cold, sticky drool clinging to his face. His eyes, bloodshot and brimming with unshed tears, mirrored his disheveled state.

Yet, for the first time in years, he smiled-a genuine smile, one born from the depths of his heart.

Unbeknownst to him, in that moment, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the charming, gentle-looking man in the Taylor family portrait hanging in the living room of Heightsnew Villa.

Night had fallen, and Justin sat with several VIPs in the most opulent private room of Solana City's premier clubhouse.

They savored rare red wines, each bottle worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, as they basked in the evening's indulgence.

His guests were officials of high status and power. Among the distinguished guests was Rafe Centry, the mayor overseeing the bidding for Project A5.

"Mr. Justi-No, I should be addressing you respectfully as Mr. Beckett, president of Beckett Group, now," Rafe said, raising his glass in a toast, his voice thick with alcohol; he was pleased with the treatment he was receiving.

"You've far surpassed your predecessor. Your younger brother is infamous for being difficult -rigid, stubborn, and utterly dense.

"I interacted with him once during my rise to this position. Even then, I knew he wouldn't last long as president. And as it turns out, I was right. It serves him well!"

Laughter erupted around the room.

"It's not about what serves him right," another guest interjected. "He simply couldn't hold onto what wasn't his to begin with."

That's right. Beckett Group belongs to Mr. Justin as the eldest son. Jasper had no business assuming he'd inherited the company just because he held the title of president. Who does he think he is?"

The room resounded with boisterous laughter.

Justin, composed and smiling faintly, lifted a teacup-a stark contrast to the wine glasses around him. Taking an elegant sip, he asked, "Mr. Gentry, you don't mind if I drink tea instead, do you?' Rafe, despite his usual pickiness, was delighted by the respect shown to him. With a hearty laugh, he replied, "Not at all! You're too gracious, Mr. Beckett. We have many fruitful partnerships ahead of us!"

A glint of malice flickered in Justin's eyes, though his voice remained calm. "In that case, I'll entrust Project A5 to you, Mr. Gentry."

As the night deepened, Rafe excused himself, citing his age and waning energy.

Suddenly, the doors to the private room burst open. Justin's secretary, Eden Huber, stumbled in, looking terrified.

Sheryl, clad in a striking red dress, rose from her position beside Justin, where she had been pouring drinks. She snapped, "What are you doing? Mr. Beckett is entertaining guests here. Get out!"

Justin, unruffled, asked in an indifferent tone, "What's the matter?"

"A man in a black coat barged into the clubhouse. He's taken down our men-brutally and single-handedly. His savagery is... it's like the devil's!"

"A man in a black coat?" Sheryl echoed, her brow furrowing.

Before she could say more, a deafening bang reverberated through the room. A stray bullet tore through the air, striking Eden in the left leg.

Eden let out a blood-curdling scream and collapsed. The room erupted into chaos-guests screamed, Sheryl backed away in shock, and Justin's teacup trembled in his grip.

The veins on the back of his hand throbbed silently as his gaze darkened, hiding a simmering rage.

A tall, forbidding figure strode into the room, and the air grew oppressively still despite the crowd in the extravagant room.

The man, moving with deliberate menace, carried the presence of a predator ready to strike.

A black face mask concealed most of his face, save for his sharp, gleaming eyes that locked onto Justin.

Each step he took was measured, his gaze unwavering.

Chapter 2432 "Sir!" Sheryl shouted.

She was just about to get to Justin's side when two shots were fired near her feet. Screaming, she dropped to her knees, threw her arms over her head, and scurried under the table like a terrified animal.

The air in the room grew heavy with menace.

Justin, known as the devil of the night, was a man who thrived on chaos. His power and influence stretched across continents, and he'd faced countless threats without flinching.

But as his visitor approached, an unfamiliar dread coiled in his chest. His hands gripped the couch's armrests so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The terror was suffocating.

"Get out, all of you," the man commanded, his voice cold and sharp.

The man remained fixated solely on Justin while Justin's guests fled in terror.

"Help! Somebody!" Sheryl screamed, her voice muffled as she cowered under the table.

No help would come. Outside, the others were either unconscious or dead.

A deafening bang shattered the silence. The man fired his gun at the table, the bullet splintering the wood and shattering the glass. Shards rained down on Sheryl, cutting into her face, arms, and legs. Blood seeped from the wounds, and she trembled uncontrollably.

The pain left her paralyzed. She barely suppressed the urge to cry out, fearing the man's next move-she almost peed herself.

Justin, still seated on the couch, met his attacker's gaze as the man closed the distance between them. His instinct to flee kicked in, but a powerful kick sent him and the couch sliding backward before he could act.

"Ugh!" Justin groaned, clutching his chest as he doubled over in pain, his face pale and strained.

A gun barrel pressed against his forehead.

At such close range, Justin realized who his attacker was. The truth was, he had already suspected their identity the moment they stepped through the door.

"Why, Axel... Mr. Axel."

"Don't call me that," Axel growled. "I'm just a man on the edge, a man who lost his wife."

With one hand, Axel tore off his black mask, revealing his face. His fury burned brighter now that he stood face-to-face with Justin. "You fucking cripple. Give me back my wife."

Sheryl's heart nearly stopped. Listening from her hiding spot, she realized Axel had come for them far sooner than expected. And if Axel was here, Jasper and Alyssa couldn't be far behind.

If Axel ever found out the truth-that Amber had suffered unspeakable torment under her control-he would surely exact a vengeance beyond imagining. The notion alone left Sheryl shaking uncontrollably; her hands pressed tightly against her face.

Justin's lips curled into a sinister smirk. His dark, wicked eyes betrayed nothing. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, feigning ignorance.

"You fucking cripple, enough of your games. We know all about the filth you've been hiding." Axel leveled the gun directly between Justin's eyes, his gaze cold and unrelenting. "I'll ask you one last time-where is Amber?" "I don't know."

Before Justin could finish his sentence, a deafening bang erupted near his ear, leaving him reeling. The pain was excruciating, as though his eardrum had been torn apart.

He let out a guttural cry, his body convulsing as he gasped for breath. Clutching his left ear, he arched forward, trembling uncontrollably.

Terror overwhelmed Sheryl, so much so that her jaw dropped, unable to utter a single word.

Blood dripped steadily, forming a crimson pool on the floor.

Justin, with his eyes wide and bloodshot, lowered his head slowly. Staring at the piece of flesh on his palm, he heaved. Fury burned within him like never before.

This moment of agony and humiliation was worse than the torment he endured when he was abducted and degraded two decades ago.

"S-Sir..." Sheryl stammered, her gaze darting between Justin's mangled ear and his contorted anguished expression. His once-refined face now resembled a beast on the verge of unleashing its fury.

Never had she seen Justin in such a degrading state, and little did she know, the image of his twisted face, consumed by pain and rage, would haunt her memories for the rest of her life.

Chapter 2433 "Didn't you say you had no idea what I was talking about? In that case, this ear is useless to you. You're already a crippled man anyway. You might as well be deaf too."

Axel's hands trembled with restrained rage. The temptation to end Justin's life surged through him—he wanted to pull the trigger, to rip him apart limb by limb. But he had made a promise to Jasper-no lives would be taken. A promise was a promise.

"I will rescue my wife. But you'll lose more than just an ear if I fail." Axel seized Justin by the hair, his reddened eyes brimming with tears. His voice cracked with fury and anguish. "I will make you suffer a thousand times the pain Amber has endured."

Without warning, he released Justin and stormed out.

"S-Sir! I will get someone to take you to the hospital right away!"

Sheryl crawled to Justin's side, panic-stricken as her eyes fell on the pool of blood spreading across the floor. Her trembling hands fumbled with her phone, unable to keep a firm grip as she scrambled to place a call.

Justin's fingers curled around the severed piece of his ear, his face twisted with agony. Tilting his head back, he let out an unhinged, guttural laugh. "How... interesting. So very interesting."

Sheryl recoiled, her voice quivering, "Sir... w-what should we do about Amber? Should we—"

"Keep her alive," Justin hissed, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "But don't make life easy for her."

He flung the bloody piece of his ear aside, shutting his eyes as if savoring the searing pain. "As a woman, I'm sure you know exactly how to make her suffer."

Axel had barely stepped out of the clubhouse when Sheryl's summoned subordinates surrounded him.

The tension crackled in the cold night air, but before the confrontation could escalate, a sleek black Aston Martin roared onto the scene, scattering his would-be attackers like bowling pins.

The car screeched to a halt, and the door swung open. "Get in!" Jasper barked, his calm demeanor cutting through the chaos like a blade.

Axel didn't hesitate. He leaped into the car, and Jasper slammed the accelerator, leaving Sheryl's men in the dust.

"You didn't have to trouble yourself, Mr. Beckett. I could've handled that trash on my own," Axel muttered, lighting a cigarette with unsteady hands. He took a long drag, exhaling smoke into the frigid night air as he rolled down the window.

Jasper's knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. "I'm not Mr. Beckett, the president of Beckett Group right now. I'm just here as a fellow alumnus, lending a hand." His voice was grim. "I told you not to provoke Justin and to leave him to me. Why didn't you listen?"

"Jasper, my wife is in his hands. As much as I know that for a fact, I still can't save her. I have no leverage, no proof..." His voice cracked as he coughed, his eyes welling with tears. "I was so close to killing him. But I couldn't-because if I did, Amber might not survive,"

He turned to Jasper, his voice breaking. "I've never felt so useless. Tell me, what should I do?"

In the stillness that followed, Jasper could hear Axel's sobs, muffled and broken. The frigid night and the howling winds seemed to swallow his cries.

Jasper's jaw tightened as he made a silent vow. "Trust me, Axel. I'll handle this for you."

Jasper's phone buzzed, breaking the heavy silence. It was Xavier.

"Mr. Beckett, that was a close call! You were right-someone tried to attack Dr. Bender. Luckily, Mr. Harper had men stationed nearby, and they stopped the attacker. Unfortunately, the culprit got away before we could catch them. If not for that, we'd have definitely been able to extract some information from them!"

Jasper's voice was calm, almost icy. "The press conference is approaching. Justin has to eliminate any threats. Dr. Bender's testimony to the authorities implicates me, so he's no longer useful to that merciful-looking brother of mine."

Xavier snorted. "Dr. Bender is loyal to you now. He even cried, saying he'd lay down his life for you."

"Have you reviewed the surveillance footage from the areas where Ms. Altman disappeared?" Jasper asked.

"I did," Xavier replied. "The vehicle transporting her vanished after heading toward Sycamore Avenue in the eastern district. But while reviewing the footage, I stumbled across something... interesting."

"What did you find?"

"On the night Ms. Altman disappeared, Remy intercepted Sheryl's car. They had a confrontation, and Remy beat her up. It was quite a show."

Chapter 2434 "Remy beat Sheryl up?" Jasper repeated, his voice laced with disbelief.

Having wiped away his tears, Axel leaned in to listen to the phone call.

"Yeah! I saw it with my own eyes in the surveillance footage. He punched her brutally!" Xavier's voice was filled with astonishment. He exhaled sharply before continuing, "I thought they were a close-knit group. Looks like even they have internal conflicts!"

After a brief pause, he ventured, "Mr. Beckett, do you think we could use this as a breakthrough? Maybe Remy has been at odds with Sheryl for a while, and he's tired of working under Justin. Perhaps all he needs is a little push to turn against them. After all, didn't Ms. Altman join us because she hated everything Jameson did?"

Jasper didn't give a direct answer. Instead, he spoke quietly, "It's a clever thought, but it's still uncertain. We don't really know Remy's intentions. Our interactions with him have been few, and they've always been risky confrontations. I don't know what he truly thinks."

Xavier sighed, his concern evident. "Mr. Beckett, the press conference is the day after tomorrow. What's your plan? Are you just going to watch Justin put on his show?

"Please forgive my bluntness, but Dr. Bender's testimony alone might not be enough. Your blood test results are valid; we need more proof of your innocence."

"Thank you, Xavier," Jasper said unexpectedly, catching both Xavier and Axel off guard.

They were left speechless, unsure of how to respond.

"It's been tough on you lately, giving it your all. Now that I've been dismissed as president of Beckett Group, it's time for you to take a breather. You don't need to feel so tense anymore," Jasper spoke in a gentle tone, his voice laced with emotions that were impossible to understand.

"I'm not tired, Mr. Beckett. I don't need a break!" Xavier replied urgently.

Truth be told, when Jasper had been dismissed, Xavier made a silent vow to stay loyal to him, even if it meant working without pay.

In the past, Xavier had been driven by greed-living without an income was torture. But now, he was willing to let go of all that. All he wanted was to be by Jasper's side. The thought of taking a break now terrified him; he feared it might signal that Jasper was about to fire him.

"Don't panic. I'm not going to abandon you."

Jasper saw through Xavier's anxious thoughts immediately. With a slight smile, he continued, "I just can't stand seeing a certain someone come to me with swollen eyes every morning. I know that this particular person hides away to cry silently too.

"People who understand will know it's because you miss your girlfriend. Those who don't might even think that I've killed her. You should go home, gather yourself, and then come back to me."

Xavier froze, his face flushing with embarrassment. He hadn't realized his sobs were audible. He missed Maggie deeply, and the thought of others overhearing his pain made him uncomfortable.

After the call ended, Axel couldn't hide his agitation any longer. His voice trembled as he asked, "If Damien is going against Sheryl, does that mean he's starting to remember his past? Could his true self be awakening?

"Damien must have lost his memory after the accident, which led him to Justin's control. But how could someone so kind turn into someone else entirely?

"Justin's trying to drag Damien into the darkness he's in. He even tried to manipulate Damien into hurting us, making us fight a family member. Justin is pure evil!"

Deep in thought, Jasper's gaze was fixed on the dark night ahead.

Of all things, Remy had chosen to confront Sheryl the night Amber disappeared-and even beat her. There had to be more to it than that.

"Perhaps Damien's conscience is awakening. But for some reason, he hasn't been able to break free from Justin's hold," Jasper mused.

After a moment's pause, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Axel, you might not like what I'm about to say, but hear me out.

"We might only have a chance at rescuing Amber if Damien remains by Justin's side."

Axel's heart skipped a beat. He understood exactly what Jasper meant. It wasn't just about taking the offensive. Their success depended on insider help.

They couldn't be certain how Amber was being treated in captivity. But if Remy was truly starting to question Justin and Sheryl's actions, he might secretly be willing to help Amber.

Chapter 2435 That said, this strategy came with its own risks. It was as if Jasper and Axel were placing all their bets on Remy for the time being "Justin doesn't control someone without a reason. Since he has control over Remy, he will make full use of him." Jasper's chest tightened, a weight pressing down on him like a massive rock. He continued, "The only way to find Amber is to understand Justin's intentions clearly."

The press conference was scheduled for 5:00 pm at Berenike Hotel's Conference Hall A on Saturday.

At 3:00 pm sharp, Justin sat in the president's office at Beckett Group, his expression frigid. He sat upright on the couch while Sheryl, standing beside him, carefully tended to the wound on his left ear, changing its dressing with caution.

It had been only two days since he was shot in the ear. His flesh had been stitched up, and the stitches looked like a grotesque centipede crawling along his ear. There was no way to conceal the injury unless he donned a shoulder-length wig Once a picture of elegance and poise, Justin now seemed shrouded in an ominous cloud, his presence unnerving and heavy with a palpable menace.

"I-I'm sorry, Sir... I've done my best." Sheryl's hands trembled. She wasn't a special effects makeup artist. The wound on Justin's ear had still been bleeding and oozing pus this morning. What more could she do?

Axel was a ruthless and determined man, but despite her best efforts, he remained elusive. Three days of searching in Solana City and watching Heightsnew Villa had yielded no results, and she hadn't even had the chance to exact her revenge.

Justin's pale lips parted as he commanded impatiently, "Bugger off, you useless piece of shit."

Shaking in her boots, Sheryl took two steps back. She could feel Justin's growing frustration, his dark side surfacing more and more.

She was walking on thin ice now.

What if one day, in his fury, Justin forced her to take the same drug Remy had? She couldn't bear the thought of becoming a drug user.

Just then, her phone rang, pulling her back to the present. She answered it immediately.

After listening to the update, she ended the call, her face full of worry. "Sir, Sebastian has been placed under Harper Group's protection. Our men attempted an ambush, but they couldn't overpower them. They've been trying to find an opening for the past two days, but they've failed since Harper Group's men are on high alert."

Justin shut his eyes, his side profile looking frosty.

"Sir, we could just seal off the venue and ensure it's heavily guarded so Sebastian can't get in."

At first, Justin wasn't keen on eliminating Sebastian. Killing him felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut-it wasn't worth the effort. However, as someone who had recently risen to power, Justin craved respect and a strong reputation.

Jasper's alliance with Landon, going to such lengths to protect a mere lackey, only fueled his desire to strike back, to make their efforts futile. He wanted to watch their work unravel before their eyes.

"Jasper and Landon will be escorting Sebastian to the press conference. Tell Remy to bring a few men to intercept them." Sheryl replied, "Got it, Sir!"

Justin's eyes opened slowly, his gaze fierce. "And tell him if he fails again, he doesn't need to return to me."

Chapter 2436

Time was ticking. The press conference was about to begin.

Landon escorted Sebastian out of the manor and into Jasper's car. He glanced at Jasper, who sat in the back seat, his expression calm and composed.

With concern etched on his face, Landon said, "Jasper, let me come with you. I can't feel at ease otherwise."

Jasper met Landon's gaze, firm and aloof. "Don't worry, Landon. You've done enough. It's time for you to step back."

If Landon continued to help, he would only get caught up in the chaos.

Despite his current difficulty in articulating his feelings, Jasper couldn't forget that this was his best friend, the one he'd stood by for more than 20 years.

Landon had endured so much to finally be happy with Lauren, and Jasper wasn't about to be the one to disrupt that hard-earned happiness.

Understanding Jasper's stubbornness, Landon turned to Xavier. "Call me immediately if anything happens."

"Don't worry, Mr. Harper," Xavier reassured.

With that, Sebastian climbed into the back seat beside Jasper while a few of Jasper's trusted subordinates followed in another car. The two vehicles sped off, one after the other. Landon remained standing, unease gnawing at him as he watched them drive away.

...

The luxury cars sped toward Berenike Hotel.

"Mr. Beckett, w-will I end up dying?" Sebastian asked, his voice trembling.

Expressionlessly, Jasper asked, "Why do you ask?"

"I chose your side, which means I've offended Mr. Justin. He sent men to kill me before. Will I survive?"

Sebastian buried his face in his hands, despair evident in his posture.

Though Jasper's face betrayed no emotion, he didn't want Sebastian to die.

"Don't worry-"

Just as he spoke, a deafening crash echoed from behind their car.

Xavier jerked in fright, immediately glancing at the rearview mirror.

Jasper's gaze hardened as he turned around, holding his breath.

A truck had collided with the car following them, flipping it over and slamming it into the sidewalk. The force shattered the windows of nearby shops.

"Shit. Karma's come for me!" Sebastian exclaimed, covering his head.

This was Xavier's first time witnessing such a scene. His face drained of color as panic set in. "M-Mr. Beckett, what should we do?"

"Floor it! Keep going, and don't stop!" Jasper ordered, his voice tense.

It wasn't that he wanted to abandon his subordinates, but stopping now would only make things worse.

The black Maybach surged forward, its engine roaring.

Another vehicle appeared from behind, tailing them closely.

"Xavier, watch out!"

Jasper's eyes widened in alarm.

Distracted by the car behind them, Xavier didn't see the massive truck speeding toward them from the front. The danger was imminent.

If they collided head-on, they wouldn't survive.

With a shout, Xavier wrenched the steering wheel to the left, sending the Maybach careening into a narrow alley. A thunderous crash echoed from behind.

Jasper glanced back, only to see the truck and the tailing vehicle collide, creating a chaotic scene that could have been straight out of an action movie.

"Fuck! Damn it!" Xavier muttered, drenched in sweat but feeling a sense of relief. "When I have kids, I'll tell them how amazing I was. This felt like a scene from The Swift and the Savage!"

en Sebastian thanked the heavens before remarking, "Don't get smug, Mr. Hall. We'd be in their place if it weren't for Mr. Beckett's quick thinking." Before Xavier could respond, another vehicle appeared ahead, blocking their path. It was clear the attackers were still on their tail.

"M-Mr. Beckett, what should we do now?"

The panic took hold of Xavier, and before he could stop himself, his hometown accent surfaced, thickening his words.

With a fiery determination, Jasper commanded, "Don't stop. Drive straight into them!"

They were in the city, in broad daylight. Jasper knew the attackers wouldn't risk firing shots. If they did, the police would be on the scene in moments, and surveillance cameras would capture their every move.

Without firearms, the attackers could only rely on other weapons.

Clenching his teeth, Xavier steeled himself and put the pedal to the metal, charging toward the vehicle ahead.

Suddenly, the Maybach lurched, its tires screeching as it made a 180-degree turn, crashing into a building on the right. They nearly flipped over. "Damn it. Our tires are punctured!" Xavier yelled.

Just then, Jasper noticed a glint ahead. Realizing the danger, he shouted, "Xavier, get down!"

He shoved Sebastian's head down, then lowered himself as well.

A sharp whoosh filled the air.

A steel-tipped arrow shot toward them, smashing through the windshield and embedding itself in the driver's seat.

It was a close call. If Jasper hadn't warned Xavier in time, the arrow would have struck him directly in the head.

Chapter 2437 Frightened out of his wits, Xavier yelped, covering his head and crouching low in his seat.

It wasn't that he was a coward. He had been brave in the past, but this situation was unlike anything an ordinary person would face.

Working for Jasper meant Xavier didn't have to worry about his livelihood, but every day was a gamble with danger. If this continued, he might have to keep Nitroglycerin on hand just to survive.

Jasper, with his strong, muscular frame, shielded Sebastian beneath him.

He knew the attackers were after Sebastian, the witness, aiming to eliminate anyone who could tip the scales against them. If they could take down Jasper too, or at least injure him severely, it would be a bonus.

These people were ruthless.

Sebastian, oblivious to the danger, was muttering the Lord's Prayer under his breath. He didn't know that the man protecting him was sometimes more powerful than any deity.

"Don't lift your heads! Arrows aren't like bullets-they can pierce glass but not the car's body," Jasper said, his voice steady despite the sweat on his brow.

The sounds of clattering filled the air, a barrage of arrows raining down like a violent storm. It reminded Jasper of his time fighting terrorists in the warzone at Luminara. His eyes narrowed, and his blood surged.

After five or six minutes, the barrage stopped, but their tires were punctured. There was no way to keep driving forward. Thus, the only thing Jasper could do was to charge at their attackers with his bare bands.

"Xavier, protect our witness."

With that, he threw open the car door and charged out without hesitation.

In the blink of an eye, over a dozen assassins surrounded him like a pack of wolves closing in on a lion. Some wielded blades, others carried sticks.

Jasper remained calm, his body tense, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

It became clear-Sebastian was merely a secondary target. The real aim was Jasper's life.

This had all been orchestrated by Justin, the mastermind behind this attack.

Without a weapon, Jasper grabbed a black umbrella from the car and twirled it in his hands. It would have to do. "Get him!"

Upon hearing that command, the group of attackers charged at Jasper.

Glaring fiercely at his attackers, Jasper tightened his grip on the umbrella handle till his veins popped on the back of his hand.

He took his opponents head-on. In the blink of an eye, a fight broke out in the alley.

Teeth chattering, Xavier pulled his phone out to call the cops when a call came in. It was Jonah.

"Mr. Jonah!"

Xavier answered Jonah's call right away. He cried out, "Please come and save Mr. Beckett. He's being attacked by over a dozen people with blades. It's terrifying!"

"Stay calm. I'm on my way," Jonah replied, his voice steady. "Alyssa sent me."

Landon, worried about Jasper escorting Sebastian alone, had contacted Alyssa, who, despite her own responsibilities, immediately reached out to Jonah, who had just returned to Cyrris. He, along with Axel, rushed to Jasper's location.

They were almost there when a massive truck crashed, blocking the road. Forced to take a detour, they lost track of Jasper but managed to contact Xavier just in time.

After Xavier shared his location, he hung up, locking himself and Sebastian in the car. There was nothing more he could do except pray.

Outside, the clash of weapons echoed, and suddenly, a machete smashed through the car window, the blade narrowly missing Xavier's head.

Panic surged through him. He quickly pulled out his phone again and opened his WhatsApp conversation with Maggie.

Chapter 2438 "Maggie, I love you!" Xavier typed.

Maggie replied, "Xave, you're not usually this corny. What happened?"

Xavier couldn't bring himself to tell her that those words were his final ones if something happened to him. His phone buzzed again. It was Maggie sending another message that read, "I love you too, Xave."

Tears filled Xavier's eyes. His lips quivered, and his heart raced. He cursed under his breath. It was time to go all out.

With that, he grabbed the machete, swung open the car door, and swiftly took down two of Jasper's attackers.

But Xavier wasn't a fighter. He had no real combat experience. It didn't take long before a blade sliced into his arm, the deep cut searing with pain.

Jasper's eyes widened. He roared, "Xavier, get back in the car!"

Distracted, Jasper's opponent swung a machete at his face.

Xavier gasped, "Mr. Beckett!"

Luckily, Jasper dodged the strike, his reflexes quick. He retaliated by snapping the attacker's arm.

Xavier, pale and shaking with pain, scrambled back into the car. Now, he understood why Jasper had told him to stay hidden. He was only making things worse.

The group of over a dozen well-trained assassins surrounded Jasper, but one by one, they fell in a bloody massacre. Jasper, though covered in cuts and blood, stood like an unyielding god of death, his resolve unshaken.

But then, the next wave of attackers charged.

With bloodshot eyes, Jasper snatched a blade from one of the fallen assassins and cracked his neck. He couldn't take them all down. He couldn't.

This was part of Justin's twisted plan. Even if Jasper survived, the press conference would be long over.

Just then, the roar of a sports car engine echoed behind him.

"Jasper, we're here!"

Jasper turned, his heart swelling with emotion as Jonah and Axel stepped out of the blue Ferrari, striding toward him.

A rush of strength and determination surged through him. Jonah. Axel.

He parted his lips, but the words were lost inside. Since challenging Justin, Jasper had been prepared to walk this dark path alone, unsure of what the future held.

But God's mercy ensured he didn't face the fight on his own. Jasper and Jonah became brothers-in-arms, sharing perils together, while he and Axel reconnected through their shared history at the military academy.

None of it would have been possible if Alyssa hadn't once been his, completely and utterly.

"Jonah, take Jasper and the witness with you. I'll handle this," Axel said, his tone confident as he slipped his hands into his coat pockets.

Jonah's eyes reddened, his underground boss persona roaring within him.

"No. We do this together," he refused, shaking his head.

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Have you forgotten what I do for a living?"

He pulled out a tranquilizer gun from the back of his waist. "We're in the modern age. Street fights aren't the answer anymore."

Furrowing his brows, Jonah let out a laugh. Feeling more at ease, he urged, "Be careful, then."

Axel dashed toward Jasper, lightning-fast. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Axel gripped Jasper's back, spun him around, and gave him a push.

Jasper widened his eyes, watching Axel's unwavering stance behind him.

Axel was like a beam of light, cutting through the darkness ahead.

"Our man of the hour. Go. Leave this to me."

Chapter 2439 Jasper and Jonah went to get Sebastian and Xavier out of the car. The four of them then bolted toward the other end of the alley.

A clamor broke out behind them.

Jasper glanced back, his heart pounding.

Warmth surged through his hardened heart as he saw Axel holding his own in a brutal fight against over a dozen assassins, skillfully subduing them one by one.

"Jasper!"

All of a sudden, Jonah stopped in his tracks.

Jasper turned to see what had caught his attention, and his heart sank.

Standing at the alley's end, silhouetted against the light, was a tall figure radiating a presence that commanded fear. Though the man's face was obscured, his unyielding presence was unmistakable. It was Justin's right-hand man, Remy.

"Mr. Beckett, w-what should we do?" Xavier stammered.

With a fierce glint in his eyes, Jonah took a step forward. "I'll hold him back. The rest of you, keep going."

"Xavier, Lake Dr. Bender to the press conference immediately. Don't let anything stop you." Jasper swallowed hard. He added in a firm, commanding tone, "I'll stay and face Remy with this brother of mine."

Jonah's eyes widened in shock.

Brother? Had he heard Jasper correctly?

Xavier nodded firmly. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Alright, Mr. Beckett. Be extra careful, both of you!"

No matter how reluctant he was, he had no choice but to obey. After all, if a weak link like him stayed behind, he would just be holding everyone back.

Jonah, however, shook his head. "No. You all need to leave. Now."

"I have gone against him more than once. You might not be able to defeat him on your own.

The moment Jasper made up his mind, he wasn't going to change it.

Before they could argue further, Remy charged at them, his presence radiating cold fury.

"Go!" Jonah barked, stepping forward with a sharp dagger in hand.

In an instant, the two men clashed.

In that instance, Jasper's eyes widened. Something was wrong.

Jonah had a sharp weapon in his hand while Remy stood unarmed.

Not only that, in their previous encounters, Remy had radiated the ferocity of a beast eager to rip apart his foe. But this time, Jasper couldn't feel the same menace from Remy.

"Jonah, hold on!" Jasper shouted.

Nonetheless, it was too late. Jonah's dagger had plunged deep into Remy's right shoulder. Blood flowed freely, staining the ground.

Yet Remny remained eerily calm, his expression devoid of pain. He stared coldly at Jonah, whose face glistened with sweat.

Then, something flickered in Remy's eyes. His vision blurred, and fragmented images flooded his mind-flashes of faces and moments. Some were of the man before his eyes, and some were of Alyssa. There were also images of a middle-aged woman crying out a name-Damien.

Confusion clouded Remy's features, but one thing was certain-he no longer felt the searing hatred he once harbored for these people.

Jonah froze, his gaze fixed on the extremely familiar face before him. His grip on the dagger tightened.

The fact that Remy hadn't evaded or countered his attack surprised him, but Jonah wasn't about to lower his guard. After all, this man was Justin's weapon-the very same man who had mercilessly attacked Alyssa and Jasper time and again.

Even if it meant sacrificing his life, Jonah would not let Remy have the upper hand. With grim determination, Jonah yanked the dagger from Remy's shoulder and raised it again "Jonah, wait!" Jasper's voice cut through the tension.

With his eyes fixed on Remy, Jasper saw that Remy had no intention of fighting. He took a breath, steadying his voice as he said, "He's your younger brother. Hold back for now!"

Chapter 2440 "Younger brother?" Jonah echoed.

The mention of Damien brought a sharp pang to his chest. Memories of the plane crash flashed before his eyes. He continued, his voice tight with emotion, "Even if he is my brother, he allied with the devil and chose a corrupt path. I am severing ties with him!"

With that, Jonah slammed his arm down, a decisive gesture.

"Jonah! No!" Jasper shouted.

In the next instant, Remy, with an almost unnatural calm, grabbed the blade of the dagger with his bare hand. Blood began to flow from his palm.

Jonah's heart twisted in agony. Family meant everything to him, yet here he was, inflicting harm on one of his own.

"I didn't come here to stop you," Remy said, his voice low and strained as he met Jonah's reddened eyes. "But I must stop both of you. This is my mission."

Jonah stared at him, stunned. "Why"

"Because I work for Sir. I have no choice but to follow orders."

Turning to Jasper, Remy said, "Go."

After watching them leave, Remy trudged through the alley with a gloomy look on his face.

He couldn't shake the doubt gnawing at him. Had he made the right choice?

If he failed in his mission, Justin might send him to that hospital to be used as a subject for drug experiments or worse, eliminate him entirely.

Yet, despite the looming threat, Remy felt no regret. The only uncertainty was whether he was truly Damien, the man the Taylors had been desperately searching for, or merely someone who resembled him.

Perhaps his help to the Taylor family had been a stroke of luck or a decision made without full understanding.

Suddenly, Remy halted in his tracks. A group of masked men in black appeared ahead, standing a short distance away.

A cold realization swept over him. These men were not Justin's subordinates, nor had they been sent by the Taylor family; they were third parties.

"Get him!" one of the men barked, and the group surged forward.

The ensuing fight was brutal. Remy managed to take down a few of them, but he was also gravely injured. These men were well-trained and relentless in their mission to kill him.

Realizing he couldn't keep fighting, Remy darted into the alley, the assassins hot on his heels.

The chase spilled onto the main roads, where passersby looked on in shock at the bloodied figure of Remy.

To his surprise, he saw a luxury car parked in front of a shop with a woman sitting inside. Gritting his teeth, he ran toward the car, yanked open the door, and slid inside, locking it behind him.

"Why, you-"

"Don't move! Keep quiet!" Remy hissed. He barely had time to get a good look at the woman's face. He quickly covered her mouth, pinning her down against the seat of her car.

Outside, the assassins ran past the car.

"He's gone!"

"Check over there! Let's split up. Per the boss's orders, we have to get rid of him!"

The sounds of their voices and footsteps gradually faded.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Remy finally took a moment to look at the woman. Although she was middle-aged, her beauty was still evident despite the years.

The woman's eyes were locked on his, filled not with fear but with profound sorrow and heartache. Her tears shimmered, betraying the deep emotion she felt.