Just as Justin finished speaking, Sheryl heard a series of heavy footsteps behind her-each one sounding like an omen.


    "Ms. Gillis, it''s been a while."


    Sheryl turned sharply, eyes wide in disbelief.


    "Uri... It''s you!"


    "I see you still remember my name."


    With an insincere smile on his face, Uri walked past her and headed straight to Justin. "Right now, I, too, work for Mr. Beckett. He is my leader."


    Justin, seated in his wheelchair, lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Our team has be stronger. This is fantastic."


    Sheryl was momentarily stupefied. Then it clicked. Her eyes widened in realization.


    "Mr. Justin, the genius professor you mentioned who developed the drug was it Julien?"


    A flicker of satisfaction crossed Justin''s eyes. "As expected of someone I trained. You''re as sharp as ever."


    Uri''s sudden arrival made everything clear.


    After regaining herposure, Sheryl stepped forward, studying the hardness in Uri''s expression. She then asked, "What are you nning?"


    "Uri, your loyalty is clear, and I value it. But we do have established protocols that need to be followed." Justin lifted the lid of his teacup and gazed into the swirling tea leaves. His tone was casual, almost indifferent.


    Casually, he continued, "Everyone who wishes to stand beside me must sign a contract of allegiance; no exceptions."


    Uri curled his lips into a sinister smirk. "I understand that. Since I''ve decided to follow you, I n to get rid of your obstacles for you."


    Justin raised a brow. "Oh?"


    Uri''s gaze darkened as he exined, "Right now, Julien is an obstacle to you. I will get rid of him for your sake."


    A chill went down Sheryl''s spine.


    This was how Justin operated. He rarely had to do anything personally. If there were anyone he wanted to get rid of, his subordinates would get the job done for him.


    Everyone who worked for him would be used to the bone.


    As Sheryl gazed into Justin''s deep, captivating eyes, her breath hitched, and a nervous flutter stirred in her chest.


    Deep down, she knew the charming fa?ade hid a ruthless heart. Yet, a tiny spark of hope flickered within her-the improbable wish that, just maybe, she held a slightly different ce in his gaze than everyone else.


    Justin feigned surprise. "Are you really able to do it? He looks just like your younger brother, ke."


    Uri sneered. "ke was one of a kind. Julien may wear his face, but he''s nothing more than a repulsive imitation."


    Uri''s eyes turned bloodshot with rage. He growled, "I won''t let that thing breathe the same air as us. He needs to be wiped out,pletely erased.


    "ke is gone while Julien walks around wearing his face. Yet, just existing wasn''t enough for him. He had to take ke''s lover too, steal his ce in Jonah''s heart! How can I ever be at peace? How can I ever look ke in the eye knowing this?"


    Justin listened in silence. After pondering for a moment, he broke into a smile. "If anything, Julien sounds innocent. He didn''t choose his face his parents gave it to him.


    "Jonah, on the other hand... he abandoned his old lover and treated Julien as a substitute for ke. That''s the real betrayal."


    Uri clenched his fists, trembling with rage. I wait till I get rid of Julien..."


    Justin shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Hesitating just gives things more chances to go sideways, you know? And trust me, messing with Julien is like kicking a ho''s nest with the Taylors. Once they''re on high alert, getting to Jonah will be ten times harder."


    Uri blinked. "Then you mean—"


    "There''s no difference between killing one or killing two. We might as well take this opportunity to take them all out." Justin let out a soft sigh before continuing, "The only snag is that if they both end op dead together, your younger brother might be rolling in his grave."


    A flicker of resolve gleamed in Uri''s eyes. "When this is all over, I''ll make sure


    ke understands why I did all this."


    Justin smiled faintly. "In that case, get yourself ready. I wish you luck. Let me know if you need any help."


    Uri gave a sharp nod and swept past Sheryl on his way out.


    "Mr. Justin," Sheryl said, voice low and urgent, "forgive my bluntness, but killing


    Julien without warning could trigger a huge bacsh..."


    Justin took another sip of tea, calm as ever. "Why? Are you afraid now?"


    "No, I was just worried-"


    "While it''d be great to get rid of Jonah too, Julien''s the one who needs to be dealt with." Justin''s gaze darkened. "To Jasper, Julien is his only hope for recovery. I remember what that kind of desperation feels like. I can''t let him


    hold onto that hope."