Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

In that dimly lit room, Justin's face turned completely gloomy. Still, he stared at Zachary with a blank, emotionless gaze, as still and chilling as death itself.

When their eyes met, Zachary felt a twitch in his eyelid, followed by an unsettling chill that crept down his spine, raising goosebumps across his skin.

"What exactly do you think I know, Uncle Zachary? I'm afraid I do not understand." Justin narrowed his eyes sinisterly.

"Wow, as expected of the Beckett family's eldest son. You've picked up most of Javier's acting skills, haven't you?" Zachary took a slow, deliberate drag from his cigar. He knew Justin's health was fragile, but still, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke in his direction, daring him to react.

"20 years ago, you orchestrated the whole kidnapping scheme. You hired Gustav and his gang to abduct you and that bastard Jasper. You thought you could play both sides-secure a hefty ransom worth over a hundred million dollars, and throw in an extra 50 million for good measure. Quite a fortune back then, huh?" Justin listened with an eerie calmness, his gaze as hollow and unfeeling as ever, as though Zachary's words held no weight.

"You plotted to stage a kidnapping with Gustav, intending to kill Jasper in the process," Zachary continued. "At the time, Javier was just a figurehead, with Mr. Beckett Senior holding all the power in the Beckett Group. And ever since Jasper beca part of the Beckett family, your standing has been steadily declining. Mr. Beckett Senior has been paying less and less attention to you over time.

"So you cup with a plan to kill two birds with one stone. Eliminate Jasper, the obstacle to your inheritance and your attention, and, by also playing the victim, win back your grandfather's favor. At the stime, you would be free from suspicion too. With Jasper gone, you'd be the sole heir, the apple of his eye." Zachary chuckled softly. "Jay, you were just 15, yet you devised a plan that killed two birds with one stone. You were ruthless and shrewd. Honestly, you remindof the grace and cunning I once had in my youth!" Justin's lips curled into a thin smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Zachary's compliment, if it could even be called that, made his skin crawl. He wasn't like anyone else. He was Justin Beckett-superior, untouchable.

"But you were too naïve," Zachary mocked, shaking his head. "You underestimated human greed. Gustav betrayed you, turned you into his hostage, and planned to use you as leverage to extort more money from the Becketts." A cruel smile spread across Zachary's face. "In the end, Gustav realized Jasper was nothing but an illegitimate child, someone the family would eventually discard. Conversely, you were the legitimate heir-the one he could hold for ransom and torture.

"You were so foolish, Jay. Should I say that you went for wool but chshorn or that you shot yourself in the foot?" Instead of flying into a rage, Justin laughed. "Uncle Zachary, I suppose your tin prison has made you a bit more cryptic with your words." There was one detail Zachary had conveniently left out. When Justin discovered that he was Gustav's target, he didn't hesitate to act. He stayed behind, enduring unimaginable torment at the velet kidnappers' hideout, all to ensure Jasper's safety. Content belongs to en.kikistoriesKnowing Gustav would make him stay regardless, Justin decided to at least make the best of the situation and help Jasper.

The illegitimate son of the Beckett family emerged unharmed, while he, et the eldest son, had voluntarily put himself in harm's way, enduring torture at the kidnappers' hands. He sustained grave injuries simply to save his half-brother. Content belongs to en.kikistoriesSuch a story would surely stir emotions-a brother's sacrifice for another.

Justin wanted Newton, Javier, and Jasper to feel the weight of regret and guilt for the rest of their lives, no matter the price he had to pay.

It was terrifying to think that even as a child, Justin had already been capable of such cold, sinister plots.

"Justin, if the truth about you orchestrating the kidnapping 20 years ago were to cto light, I can guarantee that neither Mr. Beckett Senior nor Javier would feel any sympathy for you.

"As for your health condition—it's a fate you brought upon yourself. You can forget about inheriting the Beckett family fortune." The smile on Zachary's face took on an even darker edge. "So, take my advice-accept your place here. Don't try to reach for something beyond your grasp." "I understand." Justin stood up slowly from the plush red couch, his grin widening. He straightened his back and lifted his chin. "I won't interfere with your enjoyment, Uncle Zachary. I'm leaving." Content belongs to en.kikistoriesStaring coldly at Justin from behind, Zachary replied nonchalantly, "Justin, you should be thankful that you are my younger sister's only son." Neither of them needed further words. They were two minds cut from the scloth. Zachary didn't need to elaborate on his threat.

Justin paused, then turned his back without a word, a low chuckle escaping him.

"Uncle Zachary, the Duttons are truly something else," he said, his voice tinged with mockery. "Everyone's completely mad."