Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

The board members were stunned into silence. One by one, they rose from their seats, greeting Newton respectfully.

At Beckett Group, Newton's presence was akin to that of a king. Though he had long stepped away from the corporation's daily affairs, his influence remained unparalleled.

He was not only an honorary board member of Beckett Group but also held similar titles in other renowned corporations. In the corporate world, Newton was nothing short of a legend.

His unexpected arrival at the board meeting sent shockwaves through the room. The first words out of his mouth-an objection to the proposed motion-made it clear where his loyalties lay-with Jasper.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" Javier exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise as he rushed forward to steady Newton, who was visibly trembling.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he stood up slowly. He was the last to rise to his feet. A flicker of something sinister danced in his gaze, an abyss of calculated intent hidden behind an unassuming façade.

"What am I doing here? If I'd been even a second later, Beckett Group would've been thrown into chaos!" Newton's fierce glare landed on Javier. Regret and disappointment etched deep lines into his face. Why did he have a son like Javier? "Who gave you the authority to call a board meeting to dismiss Jasper without consulting me? "Without Jasper, Beckett Group wouldn't be what it is today. The wealth, the acclaim-none of it would exist without him. And now you want to dismiss him? Are you even his father? Where is your conscience?" Javier's face turned scarlet as he stood frozen, his authority as chairman stripped bare under Newton's harsh rebuke. He struggled to form a response, his lips trembling with suppressed anger.

"Grandpa." Justin's calm, measured voice cut through the tension like a knife. His youthful face remainedposed as he stepped forward. "You've misunderstood Dad. Jasper's contributions to Beckett Group are undeniable, and everyone here can attest to that.

"But the reality is, our share price continues to plummet. The corporation's core is unstable, and public criticism has mounted against us. Negotiating Project A5 with the mayor will be near impossible under these circumstances. These are urgent issues we must address." "Jasper... was framed!" Newton roared as tears welled in his eyes.

Once firm andmanding, his voice now wavered, a stark reminder of his declining vigor.

The people in the room were taken aback.

Javier's eyes widened in shock. "Dad, are you saying Jasper was framed? Who would do such a thing?" Sweat beaded on Newton's brow, his eyelids fluttering rapidly as a storm of emotions raged within him. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Justin. Their eyes locked, a silent, explosive clash igniting between them.

Newton, however, possessed no concrete evidence, and discussing the Beckett family's private affairs in a public board meeting was simply unacceptable. Frustration gnawed at him. Att he could do was clenck his jaw, his voice rough with suppressed fury, and declare, "Jasper is an honorable man, a man of integrity. I absolutely refuse to believe he would ever touch drugs!" en.kikistories Justin's expression didn't waver. "Grandpa, I understand how difficult this is for you. But Jasper's hair follicle test cback positive. The authorities have confirmed it." Prior to this moment, Newton was entirely oblivious. The information hit him with the force of a physical blow, sending his blood pressure skyrocketing. A dizzying darkness began to encroach on his vision. "What... What did you say? Rositive?" en.kikistories "That's not all." Justin clapped his hands, and a man entered the room, handing him a document. Justin unfolded it with deliberate precision.

"This is Jasper's blood test report," he continued. "It confirms the presence of a new narcotic in his system. Additionally, drugs were found in his office. If you doubt this, you can verify it with the authorities." The room erupted in chaos after Justin's statement. The police investigation had indeed concluded, though the findings hadn't been made public yet. This raised serious questions about whether Jasper's drug abuse allegations were substantiated.

Newton's hands shook as he snatched the report from Justin. He forced himself to focus, his eyes scanning the damning details. Beside him, Ben read over his shoulder, his face contorting in a mixture of disbelief and dread.

"Grandpa," Justin said, his tone soft but firm, "I know you care deeply for Jasper. But Beckett Group isn't just your legacy-it's the livelihood of over ten thousand employees.

Beckett Group is a corporationthet has businesses all over the country. Have you considered how an upheaval at Beckett Group would affect the people and their future? en.kikistories "Sentimentality has no place here. A wise leader must prioritize the greater good, even if it means making painful decisions. Clinging to senseless affection will only harm the corporation." A wave of searing rage surged through Newton, his body convulsing violently.

"Mr. Newton!" Ben cried out, his face pale with panic as Newton began to collapse.