Chapter 2348
Justin's face turned pale as blood drained from his face. His throat constricted, leaving him feeling suffocated.
Wyatt and Axel stood frozen in shock, their bodies trembling.
Axel immediately noticed Wyatt's arm turn rigid and his hand ice-cold. Bella was the apple of their family's eye. Yet, entangled in this relationship with Justin, she had been hurt time and again physically and emotionally.
Even if Justin had genuinely loved Bella, even if he had humbled himself to the point of risking his body and life for Bella and her family, could Wyatt truly forgive and move on after seeing his cherished daughter narrowly escape death again?
More importantly, Justin now lacked the emotional capacity to love. He no longer loved Bella...
This truth was a thorn lodged deep in Wyatt's heart, impossible to ignore.
Grant's eyes never left Justin, their cold depths concealing an uncharted abyss. His tone was steady but sharp enough to cut through flesh.
"You made a mistake, not just in breaking your promise to Ms. Thompson, knowing full well how much it meant to her. It's not just about betraying her trust. Your mistake is that despite knowing you no longer love her, you reveled in the devotion of an exceptional, dignified woman. You let her abase herself time and time again for your sake, enduring humiliation and heartbreak, all while clinging to hope you cruelly snatched away with despair."
Justin's knuckles turned white, gripping the bedsheet as if to anchor himself. His head buzzed as if he were struck in the head, his vision dimming.
He had heard these same words from Bella just the night before.
But coming from Grant now, they carried even more venom, piercing his soul, leaving no room for defense.
Once Grant was done venting, his composure returned. He reclined against the wheelchair, his long lashes lowering as though in regret.
"I'd originally intended to say all of this behind closed doors with just the two of us. Ms. Thompson is the light of Chairman Thompson's life. I didn't want to cause discomfort or strain your relationship with the Thompson family. But Justin, you denied me this
opportunity. I'm left wondering what I've done to deserve this growing distance between us."
Grant sighed softly, lamenting helplessly. "Perhaps the profound bond you shared with Ms. Thompson has already eroded to this point. As for the brotherhood between you and me, it's nothing but a relic of the past, something I won't force upon you. I won't blame you."
Throughout it all, Justin remained silent.
His eyes, usually sparkling with charm, were bloodshot as if he had just endured centuries of torment.
Standing nearby, Ian was beside himself with frustration, almost jumping on the spot. Serve this bastard right to be wheelchair-bound! Karma, plain and simple!'
Anyone with eyes could see that Grant was intentionally driving a wedge between Justin and Wyatt. He was consumed with envy, bitterness, and malice.
In the end, the Thompson father and son left the room, their faces heavy with worry. Out of courtesy as the eldest son of the Salvador family, Grant followed them to see them off.
Inside the hospital room, only Justin and Ian remained.
"Mr. Salvador! You're a decisive leader in the business world and a master negotiator. No one can outmatch you!" Ian was pacing, flustered. "Just now, Grant was clearly provoking you, trying to ruin your relationship with Chairman Thompson. He's slinging mud at you! "Think about everything you've done to win back Young Madam's heart! To gain Chairman Thompson's approval, you nearly gambled your life away! Are you going to let Grant undo all your hard work, sacrifices, and efforts with a few venomous words?!"
The unspoken confrontation from earlier lingered in the air like invisible daggers.
Already gravely injured, Justin now felt utterly drained, as though his very soul had been hollowed out.
After a long silence, his tightly clenched fingers loosened slightly. He opened his eyes, his gaze dark and resolute. "Ian, prepare my clothes. I'm getting discharged."
Ian's face blanched in shock.
"Mr. Salvador! You can't! The doctor said you've lost a lot of blood. While the bleeding is under control, you still need to stay for observation_❞
"No." Justin cut him off, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. "My father and Grandpa must not know I'm in the hospital."
Taking a deep breath, Justin suppressed the pain and decisively swung his legs over the bed. He stood tall, his posture as upright and commanding as it had been during his years in the military.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"If word gets out that I'm injured, the Salvador Corporation will undoubtedly be affected. I cannot fall, and I cannot give anyone the chance to exploit my vulnerability."