Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Biotechnology... Research Institute?" Jasper furrowed his brows tightly. He looked into Alyssa's eyes.
They couldn't figure out how Betty could have connections with such an organization.
"It's so late, Jonah. Why aren't you asleep yet. hmm?"
Julien's sluggish voice could be heard from over the phone. His voice was so captivating that it gave Alyssa goosebumps all over her body.
A lifelike image of his alluring and beautiful eyes flashed across her mind.
"I'm on the phone with Lyse and Jasper. Did I wake you?" Jonah's tender voice was as clear as a bell.
Then, they started hearing the sound of something rustling.
"With Lyse? Alright then. Go ahead and. Ooh."
Then, the shameless sound of smooching and wet kisses sounded within the car.
Jasper gulped. His hands that were around Alyssa's waist started sweating. He could only turn his head to look out the window in an attempt to calm his restlessness.
"Hey, hey. Jonah, hold it right there! Can you wait till you're done with our conversation before you get all lovey-dovey with Julien? Are you in that much of a rush?" Alyssa grumbled awkwardly.
"Sorry, Lyse. I couldn't help myself," Julien laughed.
"What kind of an organization is RC Biotechnology Research Institute? Is it a pharmaceutical company?" Alyssa pressed on.
Jonah explained in a warm voice, "I think Julien will be able to tell you more about this."
"RC was established five years ago. It specializes in developing and producing drugs for the medical industry. At the moment, their research focus includes Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and autism medications.
"These two years, even the government has been pumping large amounts of money to fund their research. You can also say that it is a rising star in the world of biotechnology."
Julien yawned. "Why are you asking about this?"
Jasper questioned in a low voice, "Who is the founder of this research institute?"
"It's someone called Dr. K. He is a Caneese professor who spearheaded the establishment of this research institute. Previously, he has published a few medical journals and is quite famous in the field of medicine in Mosgravia. But, hey. why in the world are you all asking about this?"
Julien was in a daze after Jonah's kiss. His tone was dreamy.
Alyssa probed, "Other than these, do you know anything else about the organization?
"That's about all that I know. Oh, right, the research institute is currently researching a type of drug that can cure Alzheimer's. They announced that they made a new development just a few days ago.
"They, along with Lovelace Pharmaceuticals, are in a race against the clock. The one who completes the research successfully will hold the secret to wealth in their hands."
Julien added angrily, "I wish that RC succeeds in their research first. That will teach Joseph to be more humble!"
The more they listened to it, the more complicated it sounded.
"Thank you, Julien. Jasper and I will fly over to visit you when we're free. We'll bring the local delicacies from your hometown for you."
The call ended. Jasper clenched his jaw tightly. His mind was racing.
"It's odd, isn't it?"
Alyssa frowned and shook her head. "It's been just a few days since Betty arrived at Mosgravia. Soon after, she became acquainted with someone from the biotechnology research institute. Plus, they've never interacted with each other before that."
Sean, who was driving, chimed in, "It can't be that Betty is trying to sell her organs to them for research purposes just because she's at a dead end, right? But she's already tainted. She's probably not worth much."
"Jasper, could it be that Justin knows people in this research institute?"
Alyssa's expression became grim. "Remember the time when you flew over to Mosgravia after Winston had a stroke? You went there specially to ask Justin for medication for Winston. Although those drugs were so difficult to procure, he was able to hand them to you so effortlessly. That suggests to me that he has connections in the medical field.
"Is it possible that he sent someone to help Betty because it wasn't convenient for him to show up in person?"
"I was having the exact same thoughts, Lyse."
Jasper lowered his eyes, and he shook his head. "However, there's something that I still don't understand. If it was really Justin, what was his reason for helping Betty? In my mind, he's not the kind of person who would stick his nose into something like this."
Alyssa leaned back. She smiled slightly and made a thought-provoking remark.
"You said that Justin rescued you back then, even if it might have cost him his life. If he is really as righteous as you claim, I will respectfully say that he is a man who values relationships. So, I wouldn't be surprised if he lent a helping hand because he couldn't bear to see his half-sister being down in the dumps.
"But he had to suffer through repeated treatments for more than ten years. So, if there was something else behind that year's kidnapping, he might have changed his perspective of you. More than that, he might not be the same person that you
knew back then.
"Then, he might have helped Betty to vex you."
Jasper clenched his fists in silence. His shoulders were shaking.
That memory came drifting back to him, dragging him back into that hell-like
cage.
He could never forget that scene where the kidnappers had abandoned Justin at
the entrance to Seaview Manor. His body was covered in wounds, and he was on
the verge of death.
Justin was the one who saved his life. Could that have been a lie?
How could it have been a lie?