In 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 perfectly?
"And haven't you read the case details that were released? The murder happened 20 years ago. He was barely more than a teenager back then. A teenage boy stabbing an innocent young woman to death with a knife? That's the work of a total psychopath, a literal devil!"
"This needs a thorough investigation. Tycoons shouldn't be above the law!"
"Why bother investigating further? Someone like him deserves to be executed a hundred times over!"
Early the next morning, just as more than ten thousand Beckett Group employees across every branch nationwide were preparing to begin work at exactly 9:00 am, an email appeared simultaneously on every company computer screen.
It read, "Good morning, fellow employees at Beckett Group. This is an important company-wide announcement. Due to recent personal misconduct and repeated involvement in criminal investigations, Mr. Justin Beckett has caused severe reputational damage to the corporation.
"Following a unanimous vote by the board of directors, Mr. Justin Beckett has been dismissed from his positions as Beckett Group's President and Vice Chairman of the Board, effective immediately.
"Mr. Justin Beckett's personal actions bear absolutely no correlation to the Beckett Group. We strongly urge all personnel to refrain from spreading rumors. The corporation reserves the right to pursue strict legal action and severe disciplinary measures against any individuals found to be fabricating or disseminating false information."
The concise email was a public execution, utterly humiliating Justin and severing his ties to the empire in one swift stroke.
At 10:00 am, the emergency board meeting commenced.
As a prominent member of the board, Alyssa sat at the very front of the conference table in the seat to the left-the true center of power. Though she maintained a mask of absolute composure, the turbulent emotions churning within her left her throat tight and her heart racing.
A suffocating, pin-drop silence blanketed the room as everyone waited for one particular person to arrive.
Right on time, the conference room doors swung open.
Dressed in a tailored dark gray suit, Jasper strode into the room with cold authority radiating from every step. Xavier followed closely behind him, equally sharp in his suit, carrying himself with pride and confidence.
Every board member turned their gaze toward Jasper's sharp, well-sculpted features. No one dared to make a sound; few even dared to breathe.
The rightful heir had returned to claim his place.
Jasper's striking looks remained unchanged, but they now carried the profound depth of a man who had weathered the ultimate storm Thes past restraint and despondency that once weighed him down were completely gone. In their place was the commanding presence of a man capable of shifting the tides.
His sharp gaze swept slowly across the room before finally settling on Alyssa, whose eyes shimmered brightly.
The moment their eyes met, the frost in his gaze softened ever so slightly, and the corners of his lips curved upward into a faint smile.
Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes. She was the first to stand, breaking the silence by leading the room in applause. The rest of the board immediately followed suit, rising to their feet until a thunderous ovation echoed off the walls.
Under the collective gaze of the room, Jasper walked the length of the conference table, advancing deliberately toward the head of the room.
Before today, his place had always been the seat Alyssa now occupied. For years, he had poured his heart and soul into the company, meticulously planning every move and reliably executing his duties as the president of Beckett Group.
He had never craved power, nor had he ever desired to usurp anyone. All he wanted was to protect the empire that Newton and Javier had built with their blood and sweat. If possible, he had only hoped to lead the corporation toward even greater glory.
He had assumed he would stay in that secondary seat forever.
Though he had always been just a step away from true ownership of the Beckett Group, he had never considered taking it. Yet, ironic as it was, his own father had spent a lifetime treating him with suspicion for an ambition he never had.
As he passed behind Alyssa, Jasper paused abruptly. Reaching out, his hand trembled slightly as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Alyssa kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, but tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes. No words were needed. She understood him completely...
Jasper finally reached the head of the table and swept his gaze across the room.
"Please, have a seat," he said calmly, his voice carrying quiet authority.
Only after Jasper himself sat down did the others cautiously follow.
"I'm sure everyone here is already aware of the corporation's current situation," Jasper began evenly. "And I have no doubt many of you have been privately gathering information over the past few days as well."
Understanding there were many things Jasper could not personally say, Alyssa took over. She faced the room, her eyes gleaming with icy resolve.
"Mr. Beckett Senior remains critically ill and is still undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Mr. Javier is now officially under police investigation.
"As for Mr. Justin, he is currently
implicated in two separate murder investigations. Notably, the authorities have already secured definitive evidence regarding the brutal murder of his former O housekeeper. It is only a matter of time before he is formally charged with first-degree murder.
"An individual facing such severe criminal charges has no right to hold a position within the Beckett Group's management. Furthermore, both Mr. Beckett Senior and Mr. Javier Have legally finalized their wills-explicitly stipulating that Mr. Justin is to be completely stripped of any
association, assets, or shares related to the Beckett family and its enterprises."
"Mr. Jasper Beckett, Mr. Javier's second son, is now the sole heir of the Beckett legacy. Before his departure, Mr. Javier officially authorized me to cast his proxy vote to nominate Mr. Jasper as the new chairman of the board and president of Beckett Group.
"If anyone present has an objection, raise your hand now and we will put it to a vote. This is your only chance. Miss it, and you will never get it back."