Ch. 2441..2450

Chapter 2441 In an instant, the woman burst into tears.

Remy, in an alarmed state, scanned the area outside the car. Satisfied that he was momentarily safe, he loosened his grip on the woman, only to discover his palms were damp.

The woman's face was drenched in tears.

As he stared into her misty eyes, recognition dawned on him-she was the woman who had chased him at the hospital, frantically calling him "Damien".

This could only mean she was Damien Taylor's mother.

Remy straightened abruptly, putting distance between himself and Mandy. A surge of emotion tightened his chest, leaving him shaken.

Silence blanketed the car.

Despite her usual composure, Mandy was overwhelmed. Her tears were unstoppable as she gazed at him. Nothing else seemed to matter.

At that moment, Mandy's driver opened the car door and climbed in, saying, "Mrs. Taylor, here are the desserts you ordered for Mr. Taylor-"

Remy's reddened eyes darkened. His muscles tensed as he reached for the door handle, ready to leave.

"Wait!" With tears brimming in her eyes, Mandy latched onto Remy's arm in a panic.

Her grip tightened, enough to make even a man as strong as Remy wince. She didn't dare let go, terrified she'd lose him again.

The driver froze, noticing the bloodied stranger beside Mandy. Alarm bells rang in his mind. Was this man a kidnapper? He was petrified.

Before he could pounce on Remy, Mandy cried out, "It's alright! He won't hurt me."

Remy's chest tightened. He turned to Mandy, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was a dangerous man serving an even more sinister master. His presence alone radiated menace, and children who accidentally crossed his path on the streets often burst into tears at the mere sight of him.

With his lips pressed into a hard line, Remy glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror. His bloodshot eyes gleamed with a savage ferocity, a bloodthirsty intensity that sent shivers down spines.

He was from a good man-rotten to the very core, a monster in every sense.

Even though Mandy claimed that Remy wouldn't hurt her, her driver remained wary, ready to intervene.

"Sorry about earlier," Remy said coldly.

He moved to leave, but Mandy clung to him, her voice soft yet insistent. "Who were those people? Why were they chasing you? And all this blood-are you hurt? Let me see..."

Her words made his heart lurch. He tensed up.

Due to his looks, a stream of virtuous and admirable people sought him out, hoping to reunite with him. Among them was a woman who, with motherly affection, offered him a gentleness he had never received before.

For reasons he couldn't fully grasp, this kindness filled him with a warmth that seeped into his soul, a fragile sense of connection. But deep down, he understood it was all because of his appearance.

Yet, this happiness he felt was unlike anything he had ever known.

"It's none of your business," he muttered.

He couldn't stay. This familial warmth wasn't meant for him.

But before he could leave, his vision blurred, and he collapsed into Mandy's arms.

"Hey. Hey, wake up!" Mandy became extremely worried when she saw how weak Remy looked.

Her driver pointed out, "Mrs. Taylor, look at his shoulder. It's still bleeding... It looks like he's hurt!"

Mandy glanced at her hands, now smeared with fresh blood.

"Drive! Take us to Taylor General Hospital now!"

Meanwhile, Sean sped down the highway, heading to Solana City with Alyssa for the press conference.

Alyssa sat poised in the passenger seat, her red lipstick striking against her sharp black suit. A golden iris brooch adorned with topaz gleamed on her chest-a design of her own.

Chapter 2442 The golden iris stood as a symbol of triumph.

"Ms. Alyssa, we're on track. We'll make it to the press conference on time!" Sean declared, stepping on the accelerator with a fiery look in his eyes.

"Safety first," Alyssa reminded him in a calm, steady voice.

Surprisingly, at this crucial juncture, she appeared composed. "Taty is due soon, and you're about to become a father. As a family man, you shouldn't be as reckless as before." The thought of his unborn son brought a blissful smile to Sean's face, softening his fiery resolve.

Alyssa closed her eyes, though her mind remained in overdrive.

The truth was, she was forcing herself to stay alert. Ever since Amber's disappearance, she hadn't had a single restful night.

The once carefree Alyssa, who could sleep through anything, was long gone. Her frayed nerves left her in a weakened state, but she held on.

She had survived when others hadn't, and that resilience fueled her belief that she could endure again. This time, she wouldn't let Justin win.

Her phone buzzed as they reached the tollbooth for Solana City's expressway. It was a number she didn't recognize.

Ordinarily, she would ignore such calls, but today, something felt different. Her instincts screamed that this call mattered, and she couldn't let it go unanswered. She quickly swiped to answer the call, bringing the phone to her ear. "Hello? Who's this?"

Her breath hitched as the voice on the other end spoke. Her heart raced.

Thanks to Remy going easy on them, Jasper and Jonah arrived at Berenike Hotel's underground parking lot with Xavier and Sebastian.

Studying Xavier's pale face, Jasper knitted his brows together. "Are you alright, Xavier?"

"I-I'm okay!" Xavier forced a smile, though it was hard to tell if it was genuine or a grimace.

Pursing his lips together, Jasper tore off his necktie and skillfully wrapped it around Xavier's wound to staunch the bleeding.

Xavier's lips quivered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He was so touched that he could cry!

Sebastian gasped in surprise. "Mr. Beckett, where did you learn to do that? You are bandaging his wound like a professional!"

With his eyes lowered, Jasper answered coldly, "On the battlefield. I was once with the Peacekeeping Forces. I learned this from the medics while on a mission in Luminara."

Upon hearing that, Jonah's chest tightened. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Alyssa had insisted he never reveal to Jasper that she had once saved his life. She didn't want Jasper's feelings to be clouded by gratitude or duty. She wanted him to love her simply for who she was, not as the White Dove.

The past was the past, so she just wanted to leave it all behind.

She was simply Alyssa-the Alyssa Taylor who loved Jasper Beckett. That was all.

But as Jasper finished tending to Xavier, Jonah felt a surge of hesitation. "Hey, Jasper."

Jasper turned to him, his eyes sharp yet curious. "Yes?"

"Actually-"

A sudden metallic clanking interrupted him. The sound echoed ominously through the empty parking lot.

Jasper and Jonah stepped out of the car, their eyes locking on a group of men emerging from the shadows with metal rods in hand.

The fighters struck their rods against the ground rhythmically, the sound reverberating like a battle cry.

"Fuck!

e not done?" Xavier of anger. He, too, wanted held him back forcefully. belongs to Jasper and Jonah exchanged a determined glance. Their fists clenched.

They had come too far to back down now. No matter how violent the storm ahead, they would face it head-on.

Chapter 2443 Soon enough, Jasper and Jonah found themselves surrounded by a horde of fighters. The atmosphere was charged with a vicious, merciless tension that heightened their awareness.

They were now in the underground parking lot of Berenike Hotel.

This was one of the Beckett family's properties, with Newton overseeing the construction personally.

Berenike Hotel had always been the leader among all the five-star hotels in Solana City. Yet, on this day, when a critical press conference was about to begin, Justin chose to start a massacre in the hotel's parking lot, disregarding the potential damage to the hotel's reputation.

His actions were utterly insane and perverse.

"Shall we each take down ten of them?" Jonah nudged Jasper with his elbow. Narrowing his eyes, he added, "The press conference starts in ten minutes. Think you can wrap this up by then?"

A cold, fierce glint flashed in Jasper's usually dull eyes. "I'll take down 15 and leave five for you."

"Why only five for me?"

Jasper's gaze remained calm as he explained, "You're like an older brother to me, which means I'm lower in the hierarchy. It's only right that I work harder."

Jonah blinked in surprise, then laughed despite the tense situation. "That's just a hierarchy. Don't act like you're that young, Mr. Beckett. You're not that young."

A serious look crossed Jasper's face. "At the end of the day, this is between Justin and me. It is a family matter. I already regret involving you guys. This wasn't my intention."

Jonah fixed his gaze ahead. "Don't say that. We're family."

Something tugged at Jasper's heartstrings. As he studied Jonah's sharply defined side profile, a flood of emotions he couldn't name coursed through him.

"Jasper, I'm here!"

A loud shout echoed, followed by the roar of a powerful engine.

A sports car worth ten million dollars sped into the parking lot, knocking down five people in an instant. The car drifted smoothly before coming to a stop in front of Jasper and Jonah.

The door opened, and Landon emerged, his presence commanding. He rolled his shoulders and tilted his head, exuding the air of a grim reaper ready to claim lives.

"Landon..." Jasper's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice thick with emotion.

Landon clicked his tongue. "What would you do without me?"

He then raised a brow and smirked playfully. "Am I right, Jasper?"

It was time. The press conference was moments away from commencing.

Backstage, in the green room, Justin sat upright on the couch, eyes closed in quiet contemplation.

Sheryl handed him a cup of tea, which he took with both hands. After inhaling its fragrance, he sipped it elegantly. "That damn Axel. How could he hurt you like this? You could've walked into the press conference looking flawless, "Sheryl muttered, seething with frustration.

"Don't worry. Sometimes, imperfections can be a form of perfection," Justin replied, stirring his tea gently. "They still haven't shown up, even though I've given them so much time. I wonder have I overestimated Jasper's abilities?"

Sheryl sneered. "What abilities? His so-called abilities only came about because you gave him the chance. If you hadn't stepped down as Beckett Group's president and handed the position to him, he'd never know what it's like to be in charge. He should be grateful to you!"

Justin frowned slightly. "Sheryl, that was too harsh."

"Sir, it might've been harsh, but my point stands."

Justin chuckled. "You're right."

Just then, Sheryl's phone rang. The moment she answered, panic flashed across her face.

"Oh no! Sir, Jasper, Jonah, and Landon have barged into the hotel's parking lot!"

Justin's eyes narrowed, a sinister glint in them. "Stop them no matter what it takes."

Chapter 2444 Meanwhile, the light above one of Taylor General Hospital's emergency surgery theaters flickered off. Moments later, the door swung open, and a doctor emerged, pulling down his surgical mask Mandy hurried toward the doctor, her eyes brimming with worry. "How is that poor man doing?"

"Mrs. Taylor, it's fortunate you brought him in when you did. Ten minutes later, and we might not have been able to save him. He went into shock from excessive blood loss, but he's stable now. I gave him a transfusion and sutured his wounds. He'll need rest and proper nutrition to recover fully."

Relief washed over Mandy, and her tense body slackened. Her knees nearly buckled as she murmured, "Thank God ... Thank God!"

Once the doctor departed, Mandy instructed her driver to purchase the best blood-replenishing supplements available, sparing no expense.

The driver had only been employed by the Taylor family for the past two years, so he was unaware of the true reasons behind Mandy's actions. To him, her behavior seemed purely an act of kindness. "Mrs. Taylor, you're so kind to go to such lengths for him. You're a saint."

Mandy lowered her eyes and shook her head bitterly. "It's not kindness. It's... penance."

The driver was left puzzled by her remark. Still, he left to fulfill her request.

Transferred to the best VIP ward in the hospital, Remy had Mandy by his side, watching over him tirelessly.

"Damien... Are you Damien?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "How did you end up like this? What happened to you, my child? What did you get yourself into?"

Her grief, long suppressed since losing her son, poured out as she clung to Remy's presence. To her, he was more than a stranger he was a lifeline to the son she had lost.

Suddenly, a cold sweat broke out on Remy's forehead. His pale lips trembled as he mumbled, "Mom...."

Mandy leaned closer, her heart racing. "What did you say?"

"Mom... Mom..."

Remy's murmurs were faint, but Mandy heard him as clearly as if he had spoken aloud. Overcome with excitement, she clasped his cold, calloused hands tightly. Her tears spilled freely as she said, "I'm here.... I'm right here, my child!"

Even if Remy was merely a stranger who bore an uncanny resemblance to Damien, Mandy was ready to embrace him as her son.

Remy, trapped in a nightmare, clung to her hand. His voice was weak, but his words carried a profound sorrow." Can I... live in... the light too..."

Though she didn't fully understand his plea, Mandy nodded with conviction, her voice steady despite the tears." Yes, you can. Of course, you can-if you're willing."

Remy didn't respond. He drifted back into sleep, but a faint, contented smile touched his lips.

The grand banquet hall had been transformed into a conference venue, accommodating hundreds of attendees. Media reporters from across the nation filled the room, laptops open and cameras ready to livestream the event as they waited for Beckett Group's new president.

The main doors opened, and Justin strode onto the stage in a sharp suit. All eyes turned to him as he approached the microphone. He bowed slightly, his tone humble yet composed.

"Thank you all for attending this press conference despite your busy schedules. On behalf of Beckett Group, I extend my sincere apologies for taking up your time and resources.

"The purpose of this press conference is to address the recent scandal involving my younger brother, Jasper Beckett, who served as Beckett Group's president until recently. Given the public interest in the matter, I felt it necessary to provide clarity."

A reporter raised a hand. "Why are you speaking on his behalf? Shouldn't Mr. Jasper address this himself?" Murmurs of discontent rippled through the room, the crowd unimpressed by Jasper's apparent avoidance. "It isn't convenient for him to come forward at this time. Furthermore, Jasper has been dismissed from his position at Beckett Group. Since he no longer represents the company, his presence here is unnecessary." "Says who?"

A strong, authoritative voice cut through the air, turning all heads.

Right after, the doors to the hall were thrown wide open.

Chapter 2445 Everyone turned to look behind them.

Justin's icy gaze locked onto the doors, his expression dark and foreboding.

The light pouring in from outside was blinding, piercing through the shadows like a blade. As the crowd squinted against the glare, two figures emerged, standing tall and resolute side by side.

It was Jasper and Landon.

Clad in a sleek black suit, Landon bore traces of dust but appeared otherwise unscathed. Jasper, however, was a stark contrast. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his appearance disheveled, but his demeanor was anything but defeated.

Standing straight and proud, his frigid stare was enough to make the crowd shrink back, unwilling to meet his eyes.

"Mr. Justin," Landon began, his voice sharp and cutting, "you've gone to great lengths to keep Jasper from this press conference."

Ever the rebel with the air of a street-hardened fighter, Landon didn't mince words. "To stop him, you sent assassins to ambush him. You had your people block his way in the parking lot. And as if that wasn't enough, you arranged for reporters to obstruct him outside.

"You're nothing but a coward, willing to stoop to any low to get your way! With all your talent for orchestrating drama, maybe you should try directing movies instead. Being president is clearly a waste of your skills!"

Justin's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with venomous intent.

Landon's accusations sent shockwaves through the room. All eyes turned to Jasper, taking in his battered form. The injuries on his muscular frame and the blood streaking his impassive face were damning evidence.

"Is he serious?" someone whispered. "This is a live broadcast. Does Mr. Harper not fear the Beckett family retaliating against the Harper Group? After all, Beckett Group is the wealthiest corporation in Solana City!" "Don't forget Mr. Harper's roots," another replied. "His grandfather clawed his way up from the ganglands to build their empire. That family isn't afraid of anyone-not even gods. They'll fight tooth and nail, win or lose. And now that Landon's in charge, there's no one to rein him in. He's bolder than ever."

"One thing's for sure-Mr. Harper treats Mr. Jasper like a brother."

"What about Mr. Justin?"

"Well, when it comes to power, friends are a luxury."

Sheryl couldn't contain herself after witnessing the shocking scene unfold, especially with countless media outlets broadcasting it live.

She stormed to the front of the stage, stepping in to defend Justin. "Excuse me, please don't make baseless accusations. Mr. Justin has been here, preparing for the press conference all along. He couldn't have orchestrated any of what you're claiming.

"Mr. Harper, you should be more responsible with your words. The media and the entire nation are watching!" Landon silently swore at Sheryl, his frustration boiling over as he imagined giving her a smack on the head. Sheryl wasn't done. She turned her attention to Jasper, her expression a mix of disappointment and reproach. "Mr. Jasper, you've already caused significant damage to Beckett Group. Mr. Justin called this press conference on your behalf to issue a public apology. But instead of showing remorse, you storm in here with Mr. Harper, slandering Mr. Justin.

"If you have grievances, settle them privately. This is a formal event, not a place for personal vendettas. Even if you don't care about yourself, at least consider the reputation of Beckett Group!"

Jasper stepped forward, his movements deliberate and unyielding. His icy voice cut through the air. "The one who should be considering Beckett Group's image is its current president."

"As for me," he added, his tone unwavering, "I'm no longer part of Beckett Group. That is no longer my concern." "Why, you" Sheryl stammered, her composure faltering. "But "

Chapter 2446 Jasper's eyes blazed with fury as he locked his gaze on Justin, a sharp, determined gleam in his dark eyes.

"I will clear my name and restore my reputation, no matter the cost!" he declared, his voice ringing with resolve.

The tension between Justin, standing on stage, and Jasper, positioned below, was palpable-like a killer whale facing off with a great white shark. The outcome was still uncertain.

"I, Landon Harper, swear on my name and the entirety of Harper Group that Jasper never did drugs. The whole situation was a setup!"

Landon's voice resounded throughout the entire hall.

The reporters buzzed with questions. "Who would do such a thing?"

Landon refrained from directly naming Justin, aware that exposing the wolf in sheep's clothing would not be easy. Accusing him too hastily might provide Justin with an opportunity to counterattack, exploiting any gaps in their case.

Landon had no fear of tarnishing his own reputation, but he was deeply concerned about the damage it might cause to Jasper. Every move they made was crucial. They couldn't afford any more mistakes.

Another reporter stood up. "Mr. Jasper, if this drug scandal was truly a setup, as Mr. Harper claims, do you have any evidence to support that?"

"He does."

The answer came not from Jasper but from someone emerging from behind.

Jonah and a visibly injured Xavier led Sebastian into the room, drawing everyone's attention.

While Justin remained unfazed, Sheryl's face drained of color. Her anxiety was evident as beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The crowd was taken aback once again.

"I can't believe Mr. Jonah is here to show his support for Jasper. His methods are bold!"

"Have you forgotten that Mr. Jasper is Mr. Winston's soon-to-be son-in-law? Isn't it only right for Jasper's brother-in-law to help him out?"

The harsh white lights illuminated Sebastian's face, casting a stark glow on him.

Sebastian gulped, his gaze shifting toward Justin, who stood a few steps away. Justin's expression was elegant yet menacing, and a chill ran down Sebastian's spine.

He remembered the many close calls he'd faced in making it this far. Despite his past offenses, Jasper and Xavier had done everything to protect him. How could he hesitate now?

It was this very hesitation that had ruined his son, Zayne.

With newfound resolve, Sebastian straightened his back and spoke with unwavering seriousness. "My name is Sebastian Bender. I was Mr. Jasper's primary physician when he was hospitalized for acute headaches."

He paused, then added with a deep, regretful sigh, "I owe Mr. Jasper a sincere apology."

Sebastian's eyes softened as he turned toward Jasper. "I was the one who handed over Mr. Jasper's hospital records and blood test results to the police... I violated my professional ethics, and in doing so, I severely damaged Mr. Jasper's reputation. Not only did I harm him, but I also contributed to his losing his position as president." Sebastian stood at attention with a heavy heart, bowing deeply to Jasper. "I am truly sorry. I am willing to accept all consequences and relinquish my medical career. Someone like me has no right to continue practicing medicine." The room erupted in shock and disbelief.

So, Jasper had been arrested because this doctor had secretly provided the so-called evidence to the authorities?

A reporter couldn't hold back. "Dr. Bender, why did you do it?"

Sebastian's eyes narrowed in fury as he glared at Sheryl's twisted face. "One day, while Mr. Jasper was hospitalized, Ms. Sheryl Gillis, Mr. Justin's private physician, approached me.

"She threatened me, using my wife's illness and my son's debts against me. She demanded I hand over the blood test results to the police, framing Mr. Jasper. I had no choice but to comply, given Mr. Justin's influence."

Chapter 2447 "That's rubbish. I never asked you to do anything like that!" Sheryl's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. She clenched her fists, longing to silence Sebastian.

"I didn't expect you to admit it," Sebastian said coldly. He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out his phone. After scrolling briefly, he held it up for all to see. "You were wary of me recording our conversations, but you never suspected I'd install a hidden camera in my office. This footage clearly shows you bribing and threatening me. With this evidence, denial is futile!"

The crowd turned to Sheryl, their gazes heavy with shock and suspicion. When their eyes shifted to Justin, doubt lingered in the air.

Sheryl's heart sank, her face draining of color.

As cautious as she was, she had miscalculated. But it didn't matter. She had carried out the task herself, avoiding any direct mention of Justin's orders. Justin could still be saved.

It was Sheryl who had fallen short in her responsibilities, and she was ready to take full responsibility to protect Justin. No one was going to obstruct Justin's path to greatness under her watch.

"Mr. Justin," a reporter called out sharply, "your private physician bribed Mr. Jasper's doctor to ruin his reputation. Was this under your instruction?"

"Did you know about this?"

"A private physician involved in Beckett Group's internal feud? Are you claiming complete ignorance?"

The reporters' relentless questions crashed down like waves, yet Justin stood firm, his expression unreadable. He locked eyes with Jasper, whose gaze sparkled with defiance.

Though outwardly composed, an unspoken battle raged between the two, each clash eroding their defenses.

Finally, Justin broke his silence, his voice steady but dull.

"First, if this is true, I owe my younger brother an apology for failing to manage my subordinates properly. Sheryl must take full responsibility for her actions."

His tone shifted, sharp as a blade. "However, Jasper, your drug abuse is also a fact, isn't it? Dr. Bender may have violated patient confidentiality, but the blood test results clearly show crystal meth in your system. The urine tests conducted by authorities also confirmed this. Can you deny it?"

Jasper's face darkened, his fists clenching so tightly that veins bulged across his knuckles.

The tide was turning again.

"Exactly! Even if Dr. Bender betrayed Mr. Jasper, the test results were genuine!"

"If he hadn't, he might've helped Mr. Jasper evade legal consequences."

"So, at the end of the day, Mr. Jasper did take drugs!"

Criticism mounted against Jasper, leaving him cornered.

Landon, Jonah, and Xavier exchanged tense glances, their concern etched into their faces as they watched Jasper's stoic demeanor.

This battle was challenging indeed.

Sheryl's confidence returned. She pointed at Jasper with renewed vigor. "Mr. Justin is right. Regardless of what I've done, you can't deny your drug use, Mr. Jasper. Nothing you say will excuse that!"

"Says who?" Alyssa strode into the hall, her presence exuding authority. Her bright eyes gleamed with resolve as she spoke in a chilling tone. "Tell me, does everything you see always reflect the truth?"

Chapter 2448 Alyssa stood at the doorway, her slim figure framed against the light, yet she seemed to tower over the room.

Her presence commanded attention, filling the hall with an air of reverence and grandeur.

From across the room, Jasper's dark eyes burned with intensity. To him, Alyssa was like a golden phoenix, its wings unfurling as it soared, radiating brilliance over everything in its wake.

"Lyse!"

Jonah and Landon stared in shock. They hadn't expected Alyssa to show up at the press conference.

Camera flashes erupted once more.

"It's Ms. Alyssa Taylor!"

"We should address her properly now-she's the head of KS Group!"

"Wait... Is she here to support Jasper? I thought they broke up?"

"What do you even know? They used to be in love!"

Justin narrowed his eyes at Alyssa's frigid, determined expression. Slowly, his lips curled into a chilling, sinister smile.

Alyssa met his gaze, suppressing the hatred surging within her. Then, with an air of composure, she turned to the crowd. "With KS Group's reputation and mine on the line, I will vouch for Mr. Jasper. He has never taken drugs." Sheryl clicked her tongue. "You'll vouch for him? What difference does that make?"

A cunning glint flashed in her eyes. "Everyone in Solana City knows you're Jasper's old flame."

She had chosen her words deliberately, lacing them with subtle humiliation.

Jasper's brows knitted together. His sharp, chilling gaze locked onto Sheryl, who stood there, smug and pompous. Landon cursed under his breath. "Damn that bitch!" He had never sworn this much in a single day.

Alyssa's eyebrow quirked ever so slightly, her imposing demeanor intact as she skillfully concealed any hint of her inner thoughts.

Sheryl's words dripped with bitterness and jealousy. Yet, she still refused to admit she was Liana Gardner.

With a scoff, Sheryl pressed on. "The authorities don't accept testimony from a suspect's family. So what right do you have to vouch for Mr. Jasper, given your relationship with him?"

Alyssa her gaze. "You're right. I don't."

Sheryl smirked. To her, Alyssa was no different from Jonah and Landon just another fool rushing in to humiliate herself.

But then, Alyssa lifted her head, her eyes blazing. The sheer force of her gaze made Sheryl's confidence waver. "But someone else can."

At that moment, a tall figure strode through the open doors.

The distance obscured his face, but the sight of his silhouette struck Jonah like a bolt of lightning. Every muscle in his body tensed. His lips trembled. His composure shattered.

He couldn't hold back his emotions.

"Julien... That's Julien!"

Landon stared in disbelief. Overcome with exhilaration, he grabbed Jonah's arm-only to realize that Jonah was already crying. His gaze locked onto Julien, the love of his life.

Even now, Jonah could hardly believe he was seeing him again.

"Julien," Jasper muttered, the name catching in his throat. A flood of emotions surged within him, impossible to describe.

And in that same instant, Justin's sinister smile froze.

Having disappeared for so long, Julien walked toward Jasper with quiet composure.

Though still striking, he looked gaunt. His sharp black suit only emphasized his thin frame, making him seem like he was all bones.

Jonah remembered-Julien had always hated black. His closet had been filled with flamboyant, high-fashion pieces in every color except black.

"Work is dull enough with a white lab coat," Julien used to say. "Why would I wear black outside of work? It's lifeless and boring!"

Yet here he was, dressed head to toe in black.

Chapter 2449 The once lively and fashion-loving Julien now seemed like a star that had lost its light. The radiance that once defined him had vanished. Julien walked past Jonah without stopping.

The short distance between them gave Jonah a painfully clear view of the cross-shaped scar on Julien's cheek.

His heart wrenched, the pain so intense that his vision blurred. He staggered.

"Jonah, are you alright?"

Fortunately, Landon was beside him and caught him just in time.

Staring at Julien's slim figure, Jonah parted his dry lips, but no words came out.

Bitterness filled the back of his throat, and his longing for Julien sent sharp, stabbing pains through his body.

Julien stopped beside Jasper, offering him a small smile and a nod as a greeting.

Then, his gaze turned fierce as he locked eyes with Justin's hypocritical expression.

"My name is Julien Lovelace. I was once Mr. Jasper's primary physician. Approximately six months ago, Mr. Jasper made a deal with Jameson to rescue Ms. Alyssa when she was being held captive on an island.

"The deal was simple-Mr. Jasper had to consume poison in exchange for Ms. Alyssa's safe return to her family." The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd.

"I remember this! Jameson, the chairman of Schmidt Group, kidnapped Ms. Alyssa and took her to an island. Some say it was due to his unrequited love, while others claim he was desperate and used her as leverage for his freedom. Either way, it happened!"

The reporters murmured among themselves.

"That's right! Ms. Alyssa was rescued, but Mr. Jasper was rushed to the ER. The Becketts tried to keep it quiet, but in this day and age, nothing stays a secret forever. Many of us have heard whispers about this."

"If that's the case, then what Dr. Lovelace just said makes perfect sense!"

Alyssa closed her reddened eyes momentarily. The harrowing memories of her captivity on the island resurfaced. She had been unconscious when Jasper arrived to save her.

She had no idea how he struck a deal with the devil, but she knew one thing-Jasper had risked his life without hesitation to bring her back.

She didn't know if she would ever have the chance to give him her all in return.

Julien pulled out an examination report from his pocket. His gaze was unwavering as he presented it to the room.

"This is Mr. Jasper's earliest brain scan and blood test results. These documents were issued by Solana City's most reputable medical center, and I personally signed off on them.

"The stamp on the document proves their authenticity, and these reports are legally recognized by the authorities. They are the only copies, eliminating any possibility of forgery.

"Due to the consumption of a potent drug, Mr. Jasper suffered brain damage, and many of his bodily functions were severely impaired. I conducted a blood test at the time, and the results match his current condition.

"Traces of narcotics remain in his system, proving just how pure the drugs Jameson gave him were."

The crowd gasped.

"Oh, my goodness! How cruel!"

"Though I wasn't directly involved in the rescue, Interpol's Kontinian team and armed forces participated in Jameson's arrest when they rescued Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jasper. They can testify to Mr. Jasper's condition at the time."

Julien's words were firm and resolute. No one could refute him.

A dark expression settled on Justin's face as he stood on stage.

Threats, murder, manipulation... He had always believed that with enough cunning, he could control the world. But this time, he had miscalculated.

He thought that driving a wedge between Julien and Jonah would be enough to break Julien's spirit, making him abandon both the Taylor family and Jasper.

He assumed Julien would disappear from their lives forever.

For a while, he even believed he had won.

But now, Julien's public testimony was like a slap across his face. He had underestimated human nature.

Without friends or loved ones, Justin had always been ruthless and indifferent. He could never comprehend the true weight of friendships.

Not all friendships were born from shared ideals.

Even those who stood on opposite sides-light and dark, justice and corruption-could still seek the light.

"I was absent due to personal reasons and had to recuperate overseas. It has been less than half a year since I left.

"Yet, in that short time, a certain self-righteous, ill-intentioned individual made a spectacle of Mr. Jasper's condition, attempting to brand him a drug addict and bring him down all to seize power."

Julien narrowed his eyes slightly as he descended from the stage, stopping right in front of Justin. "Mr. Justin, your scripted tale is quite entertaining, but it's riddled with holes.

"According to your story, Mr. Jasper brought this upon himself by becoming a drug addict. But what about you?

"Aren't you nothing more than a sewer rat crawling onto the table to steal someone else's champagne and cheese?

Chapter 2450 Julien's questions sent the hall into an uproar.

In an instant, the number of viewers on the live stream shot up to 50 million, and the comment section exploded.

"Dr. Lovelace has presented Mr. Jasper's examination reports. He never did drugs-he was framed! This is undeniable!"

"He risked his life to save Ms. Alyssa, yet ended up being manipulated, dismissed, and investigated like a criminal. He almost carried a lifelong stain on his name. What a despicable move by whoever did this!"

Then, a comment appeared, saying, "Wasn't it Justin Beckett, the current president of Beckett Group, who orchestrated all of this? He set up his own younger brother just to seize power. What a vile man!"

Yet, less than two seconds later, the comment vanished.

But no matter how many trolls swarmed in or how quickly posts were deleted, the public's outrage could not be silenced. Suspicion against Justin surged, and tens of thousands of negative comments flooded the chat.

Julien stood below the stage, his grip tightening around the examination reports. They weren't just pieces of paper -they were a loaded weapon aimed straight at Justin's heart, forcing him back into the shadows where he belonged.

In the midst of the chaos, Jonah whispered a name like a prayer. "Julien..."

Despite his broad frame, his chest felt hollow, as if crushed under the weight of a battlefield's wreckage. Guilt gnawed at him, relentless and unyielding.

Landon, seeing the longing in Jonah's eyes, nudged him gently. "Go to him. Go to Julien."

Jonah's voice was raw. "Landon, I'm afraid. He's so radiant."

Landon frowned. "Afraid of what?"

"Afraid that my darkness will swallow his light."

Tears welled up in Jonah's eyes. His voice cracked as he admitted, "I still love him. He's the only love of my life. But I no longer deserve to love him."

Once, they had spent entire nights wrapped around each other, drowning in passion.

Jonah had kissed every inch of Julien's skin, whispering that he was his sun.

Yet, Julien would insist the comparison was flawed. By Jonah's side, he felt more like the moon. He said, "You are my sun. Any light I have is merely a reflection of yours."

Jonah hung his head low as tears splattered onto the floor-silent confessions of regret. He had shattered his moon with his own hands.

"Julien, watch your mouth! How dare you slander Mr. Justin like this?" Sheryl's entire body trembled with rage. Julien's lips curled into a smirk laced with the arrogance he once wielded so effortlessly. "Slander? What a joke. I'm not his lapdog-why should I respect him?"

Sheryl's expression twisted. The insult was clear-Julien had implied that she was Justin's lapdog!

Julien continued, "Besides, does Mr. Justin even deserve respect? You both know exactly what he's done since Mr. Jasper fell ill.

"Mr. Jasper is known for his righteousness. But you two? You're nothing but incompetent parasites, so you resorted to framing him. Did you really think you'd be secure in a position you stole?"

Alyssa watched him, her eyes brimming with emotion. Julien was insanely cool! If Jonah couldn't win Julien back... he might as well take a vow of celibacy.