?Chapter 1984


    If Ryan heard this, he would tease Justin forever.


    How pathetic! Justin was a tyrant in public, but a coward in private!


    "A paramour?"


    Be''s beautiful eyes narrowed seductively. She hooked her finger under his chin and gently lifted it. "Mr. Salvador, will you be content with that?"


    "I won''t." Justin''s intense gaze locked with hers. The abrupt movement of his Adam''s apple as he swallowed was exceptionally alluring, "But I know that I don''t deserve to be your husband."


    If he was not qualified, then who was?


    Yet the Thompsons had always carried a certain pride. Be''s heart raced, but her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Is this your idea of a proposal?"


    Justin''s thin lips tightened in bitterness. He was at a loss for words.


    "People propose with romantic ceremonies and luxurious rings. I''ve never seen anyone use ab and a broken one at that." Be ced her hand on her hip, feigning anger.


    Justin''srge hand clenched, the teeth of theb digging into his flesh.


    He recalled the time when Be married him. There was no proposal and no wedding. She moved into Tideview Manor with just a simple suitcase.


    She even wore the three-carat wedding ring he had chosen without much thought every day, as if it were a


    treasure.


    Justin saw reminders of his failures in every instance. It was capable of drowning him over and over again.


    He even dreamed of marrying her. However, even now, he could not bring himself to say the words: Marry me, Be.


    Just then, Be''s phone rang.


    In the long-silent Thompson Family Secret Bureau group chat, her most stoic and taciturn elder brother had surprisingly spoken up.


    [Asher: Be, I heard Ryan is getting married soon. Feel free to let us know if there''s anything we can help.


    Beughed and quickly typed a message.


    [Be: Now hiring three groomsmen. Limited slots only! Act fast!]


    [Axel: Why three? Shouldn''t it be four? The four of us can handle it.]


    [Drew: Ax, are you stupid? That extra slot is obviously for my brother-inw. Stop acting like you own the ce.]


    [Axel: Oh, right, right... I forgot about Justin. Hey, wait a minute, did you just say I''m stupid?!]


    [Drew: Be, will there be any trivia games for the groomsmen at the wedding? Ax''s brain might not be up for the task.]


    [Axel: Just wait until I see you! (''''))


    Drew immediately sent a GIF of a dog wagging its tail while sitting on a cat''s face, clearly trying to


    provoke him.


    Be noticed that Den had not responded, so she tagged him specifically.


    [Be: Dec, can you attend the wedding?]


    [Den: Of course. I can help out if you need anything. But I''m not very close to Chairman Hoffman. Being one of his groomsmen might be a bit odd...]


    Indeed. After all, Den was a high-ranking official in the military, with every move scrutinized by countless eyes.


    Den hardly knew Ryan and had only recently epted Justin.


    Being a groomsman might be too much to ask.


    [Asher: Be, don''t forget about Arnold.]


    [Axel: Right! We''re short on slots!]


    [Asher: You''ll need a pastor, right? If I''m officiating, I can''t be a groomsman.]


    Be bit her lip in thought and involved Ralph in the chat.


    [Be: Ralph, Ralph! We need urgent help! Can you take a groomsman spot?]


    Upon seeing Be chatting animatedly with her brothers, Justin quietly slipped out of the room. He went downstairs to cut some fruit for her and make a phone call.


    In the kitchen, he skillfully arranged a fruit tter while talking ton on the phone.


    "Keep an eye on both domestically and internationally renowned auction houses. Let me know if any top- grade diamonds go on sale."


    "Wow, wow, wow! Mr. Salvador, did you get inspired by Chairman Hoffman and decide to officially propose to Young Madam?!" Ian''s voice on the other end of the line was brimming with excitement. "It''s good to have it ready first. I''ll do it if the right opportunity arises." Justin''s long eyshes cast a shadow over his eyes, his heart swollen with mixed emotions, both worry and anticipation.


    "Wow... You''ve finallye around!" Ian was almost crying tears of joy. "Just thinking about being able to see you get married again in my lifetime makes me feel like I could happily die tomorrow!"


    Justin was speechless.


    It was just a remarriage, not a second marriage!


    "By the way, you asked me to look into the Southern Star Syndicate matter. It took a lot of effort, but I have some leads now."


    Justin''s fingers paused as he replied, "Go ahead."


    "The Southern Star Syndicate members are now under police surveince because some of them are involved with drugs."


    "Watson Jenkins detests drugs. For decades, he ensured his subordinates never got involved with drugs. Those who dared touch drugs ended up dead. How could anyone be reckless enough to take such risks?" Justin''s eyes darkened as he spoke, his gaze heavy with thought.


    "Times have changed. Watson is getting older. Besides, internal strife gued the gang in recent years. Rumor has it that if it were not for Elias holding things together, the Southern Star Syndicate''s situation might have been even worse. The underlings are increasingly discontented, seeking ways to profit behind Watson''s back. Ultimately, they would split off from the main gang. This is the destiny of those in the


    underworld."


    In truth, as a sessful businessman from a prominent family, Justin had little need to concern himself with the Southern Star Syndicate''s affairs. Even Watson''s position was worlds apart from his. However, Watson Jenkins was Aunt Sasha''s father, and Aunt Sasha was dear to Be.


    Hence, Justin could not help but pay extra attention.


    Moreover, the recent death of a Southern Star Syndicate member had always seemed suspicious to him.


    "No matter what type of drug it is, the symptoms of addiction are generally simr. But the person we sawst time, did he really die from drug abuse?"


    Justin''s gaze darkened, his brows furrowing slightly. "Why does it seem more like he suffered from a


    disease or poisoning?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "Uh... It does seem odd!"


    After a moment of thought, Justin''s voice took on a deep, maic tone. "Where can I buy some?"


    Ian was startled. "What did you just say?" "The drugs. Find a way to get me a sample."