No one in the Beckett family wanted to mention that harrowing kidnapping incident.
Years ago, Justin and Jasper were kidnapped by an internationally. famous syndicate and kept hidden in an abandoned, filthy warehouse deep in the countryside. A huge ransom was demanded in exchange. for their safe return.
Jasper couldnât remember how long they were imprisoned there. It was a dingy and dirty place so dark they couldnât tell when the sun was rising or setting.
He remembered being abused every single day they were held there. The kidnappers only gave them one meal daily so they wouldnât have the energy to escape. It was a living hell.
Justin, who was older than Jasper by four years, ended up stalling one of the kidnappers guarding them, thus giving Jasper a chance to escape.
Jasper stumbled on in the forest without so much as a glance backward. He finally rolled off a hill when his body gave out from exhaustion.
Luckily, a kind-hearted hunter saved Jasper and brought him to the police after he woke up. Only then did Jasper give the police clues and safely make it home.
Justin wasnât so lucky, however.
The cruel kidnappers had hurt him badly out of anger, locking him in a tiny container and depriving him of food and water for five days. Justin survived those days by consuming his own urine.
Three days later, when the kidnappers finally got their ransom money, Justin was tossed outside Seaview Manor naked and bound. The kidnappers then left in broad daylight.
Justin, meanwhile, had suffered greatly in the process. Due to being abused and the slow asphyxiation in the enclosed container space. for so long, his organs had begun failing. The medical fees needed to treat Justin were as high as 500 thousand dollars!
Justinâs life was literally hanging by a thread during those days.
This incident traumatized the entire Beckett family deeply until today. Because of this, Jasper felt he owed a great deal to his big brother.
It was also because of those that Javier, who was habitually stern, would be biased toward Justin, not Jasper.
âBut Mr. Justin shouldnât be stepping in now that youâre the heir!â Xavier complained. âThe entire board was already upset when youâ missed the meeting. Mr. Justinâs appearance on your behalf and success in the partnership only made the support toward him in the company grow. Even Mr. Javier started contacting him more.
âI know you value your family, Mr. Beckett, but the Beckett family isn like the Taylor family. Blood relations mean nothing in the face of power! You should know that better than anyone after all these years!
âEven if Mr. Justin saved you all those years ago and treated you well, you two still donât share the same mother. Heâs the eldest, too. How can you guarantee that he has no motives toward Beckett Group after. all these years?â
Xavierâs spit was nearly flying out as he conveyed his heartfelt message.
Jasperâs breath seemed to hitch in his chest. His eyes were sullen.
Xavier continued, âMr. Justin makes himself out to be someone who about the companyâs partnership with Jesselton Incorporated.
âWhat does this tell us? It tells us that Mr. Justin was never sitting idly all these years. Heâs always been keeping an eye out on you and the Beckett Group!
âBesides, Mr. Justin sat beside Jesselton Inc.âs chairman during the conference call the other day.
Obviously, they had arranged for all this to happen and started working secretly!â
Jasperâs eyes darkened upon hearing this, though he didnât respond.
âSometimes, the closest to us can hurt us the most, sir. You need to be careful so that no one can take you by surprise!â
âXavier, what if, and I mean what if Xavier blinked lightly.
âWhat if one day Justin recovered fully, returned to Solana City, and wanted to take over the family business, including my position as CEO? What do you think I should do? Do I just hand him everything without complaint?â