LOGINIn the blink of an eye, the news of Justin being detained by the police as a murder suspect spread like wildfire, dominating headlines everywhere. First, Zachary had been shot dead. As his only surviving family member, Justin had been brought in for routine questioning. Yet only a few days later, the man was once again entangled in another murder investigation. How could he ever cleanse his reputation after this? He couldn't. He could douse himself in bleach and still never wash away the stain of suspicion. The public discourse was merciless. "Justin always looked so elegant and gentlemanly. Even his smile seemed radiant. How could someone like that be a cold-blooded killer? It's completely surreal!""What's so surreal about it? Killers don't walk around wearing name tags. Often, the most unassuming people hide the most psychotic tendencies. They blend in by acting more polite and innocent than the rest of us. If you think about it, doesn't Justin fit that description perfectl
Justin's dark, gloomy pupils constricted. Underneath his sickly pale skin, the veins on the back of his hand twisted and bulged like gnarly tree roots. He stared fixedly at the blade. Once his chosen murder weapon, it now sat before him as cold, hard evidence. That fruit knife had once served his malice; now, it was bloodstained with history. It betrayed him, testifying to his guilt. At first, his mind was a chaotic blur. Then the present dissolved, and his thoughts flashed back nearly 20 years.Back then, he was just a teenager. His clean, youthful face had been splattered with Mildred's fresh blood. He remembered standing in the small living room, his hand white-knuckled around that very fruit knife. Soaked from head to toe in warm blood, the frail, pale teenager had looked utterly terrifying—like a demon crawling its way out of hell. Yet, he hadn't felt a shred of terror. Instead, a laugh had bubbled up from his chest, shaking his entire body in pure, ecstatic madness. The
"Who was it?" Justin asked, raising a brow. Beneath his calm and charming facade, his heart began to pound. Though he maintained an outward composure, the panic simmering underneath was impossible to fully conceal. Cyrus—the young, brilliant, and seasoned criminal investigator—was far too perceptive to be deceived. He saw straight through Justin's act, the corner of his lips curling into a cold, knowing smirk. "It was someone you know very well—Mr. Beckett Senior's secretary, Ben Gorham. He has turned himself in and made a full confession about his role in disposing of the body and covering up for you all those years ago."He has told us everything. I suggest you confess and accept your punishment. You can't hide your crimes any longer."Justin scoffed. "When you arrested me, didn't you say I had the right to remain silent?" He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back casually. Closing his eyes as if utterly at ease, he added, "I won't say another word until my attorney
The interrogation room was cold and dimly lit, enclosed by gray, dusty walls. A video camera stood fixed in front of Justin, its green indicator blinking steadily. Beside him, the one-way mirror revealed nothing but impenetrable darkness. A harsh white light poured down from above, casting his pale, expressionless face in stark relief—like an invisible net slowly tightening around him. Demon or monster, it didn't matter. In a place like this, the truth always surfaced. "So," Cyrus began coolly, "would you prefer an unforgettable interrogation, or will you come clean on your own?"He sat across from Justin with another officer, both of them watching him with sharp, unyielding eyes. This time, Cyrus faced the man before him with complete composure. "There's a world of difference between us dragging the truth out of you and you offering it willingly, Mr. Beckett," he continued. "You've got a top-tier legal team, and this isn't your first time dealing with a situation like this.
Alyssa was stunned. They had waited far too long for this moment. Her gaze lingered on Jasper beside her—his profile sharp, his expression cold. The glint in his eyes masked emotions too deep to read. Justin's face darkened instantly, and his eyes snapped toward Javier. "Why are you looking at me? Do you think I was the one who filed the police report?" Javier shot him a mocking look, a smirk tugging his lips. There was no trace of fatherly warmth in his eyes—only the undisguised delight of a man watching his enemy march toward ruin. "Though I truly wish I had. If the authorities hadn't arrested you first, I would've reported you myself. Unfortunately for me, someone beat me to it."Justin, this is karma finally catching up to you. The wages of sin is death. Every life you've taken, every crime you've committed, you'll pay for them sooner or later. The law will punish you. A life for a life.""Is that so? And on what grounds?" Justin curled his pale lips into a cold smirk. His
Everyone turned toward the sound of approaching footsteps at the same time. In the next instant, Justin's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. Alyssa and Jasper stared in shock. They exclaimed in unison, "Cyrus?"Cyrus gave a brief nod. Then, without wasting a second, he led two subordinates straight toward Javier. "Mr. Javier, please come with us."He had been brief, addressing Javier with a politeness that went straight to the point. Javier's lips curled into a bitter smile. He cast one last, lingering look at the closed doors of the emergency room before directing a tender gaze toward Jasper and Alyssa. He observed them quietly, as if every second were a final fleeting chance to memorize their faces. Jasper had never grown up under Javier's care. Though Javier claimed to have loved Anne above all others, he had never legally wedded her, nor had he given her his whole heart while she lived. Worse, he had neglected and failed their only son. Only now, in the eleventh h
Crater Mountain was where Alyssa had first met Jasper 13 years ago. It was where Jasper had saved her life."Elijah, you say?" Alyssa asked excitedly upon hearing her friend's name."Yes, Mr. Elijah is retiring next month, so this month is his last. He'll be going home to his hometown after I take ove
Alyssa had effectively labeled Simon as an ingrate with her firm and strong statement.If he wanted to distance himself from the Taylor family, she would air their dirty laundry in front of everyone.With a fake smile on his face, he shot a chilling look at Alyssa. He couldn't help but question Sean's
Alyssa squealed as a powerful force gripped her arm, pulling her into an embrace. She collided with Jasper's chest, feeling the warmth of his frenzied breath atop her head. A surge of warmth enveloped her.He hugged her tightly and heavily. It all felt strange yet familiar to her.He was perhaps worri
After offering some health advice to Newton, Alyssa left the room. Jasper wasted no time and quickly caught up to her. He said curtly, "I'll send you home."Alyssa had held back from lashing out at Jasper in front of Newton. Now, she finally exploded and jumped back while pointing a finger at his fac







