Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Just as Justin finished speaking, Sheryl heard a series of heavy footsteps behind her-each one sounding like an omen.

"Ms. Gillis, it's been a while."

Sheryl turned sharply, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Uri... It's you!"

"I see you still remember my name."

With an insincere smile on his face, Uri walked past her and headed straight to Justin. "Right now, I, too, work for Mr. Beckett. He is my leader."

Justin, seated in his wheelchair, lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Our team has become stronger. This is fantastic."

Sheryl was momentarily stupefied. Then it clicked. Her eyes widened in realization.

"Mr. Justin, the genius professor you mentioned who developed the drug was it Julien?"

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Justin's eyes. "As expected of someone I trained. You're as sharp as ever."

Uri's sudden arrival made everything clear.

the hardness in Uri's expression. She

protocols that need to be followed." Justin lifted the lid of his teacup and

continued, "Everyone who wishes to stand beside me must sign a contract of allegiance;

I've decided to

a brow.

explained, "Right now, Julien is an obstacle to you. I will get rid of him for your

chill went

do anything personally. If there were anyone he wanted to get rid of, his subordinates would get the job done

worked for him would

Sheryl gazed into Justin's deep, captivating eyes, her breath hitched, and a nervous flutter stirred

Yet, a tiny spark of hope flickered within her-the improbable wish that, just maybe, she held a slightly different

"Are you really able to do it? He looks just like your younger

kind. Julien may wear his face, but he's nothing more

thing breathe the same air as us.

around wearing his face. Yet, just existing wasn't enough for him. He had to take Blake's lover too, steal his place in

in silence. After pondering for a moment, he broke into a smile. "If anything,

his old lover and treated Julien as a substitute

his fists, trembling with rage. I wait till I get rid

head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Hesitating just gives things more chances to go sideways, you know? And trust me, messing with Julien is like kicking a hornet's nest with the Taylors. Once they're on high alert,

blinked. "Then