Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Chapter 712

Alyssa noticed the distress and wariness on Newton's face and assumed that she might have breached a sensitive family topic. It would be inappropriate for her to press for an answer.

Despite always being sensible, she somehow developed a deep interest in the matter that concerned Jasper.

She blurted out boldly, "Grandpa, is there any tension between Jasper and Justin? And is that related to their kidnapping case when they were younger?"

Newton looked astonished. Wide-eyed, he gasped, "Y-You knew about the kidnapping?"

"I'm sorry, Grandpa. I didn't intend to overstep," Alyssa apologized.

After a pause, she whispered, "Jasper mentioned Justin to me a while ago. He'd promised to tell me the truth later and that he won't keep anything from me.

"I was giving him the silent treatment back then. And I had refused to learn the truth. But curiosity got the better of me, so I ..." Alyssa's voice faded as she blushed in embarrassment.
Newton felt happy at the shy look on Alyssa's face, which reminded him of her old self. That proved that Alyssa was less resentful toward Jasper and even developed an interest in his affairs.

Their relationship appeared to have improved.

"Alice, the fact that Jasper is willing to share his past with you shows that he considers you family. He trusts you," Newton sighed, clearly still affected by the incident.

He began, "My grandsons were kidnapped when they were just children. Their kidnappers were part of a notorious gang involved in various crimes, including drug trafficking, murder, and robbery.

They were known for kidnapping numerous heirs from wealthy families across the country."

"I'm aware of that. You're referring to the gang leader, Gustav Holm, also known as 'Crazy Gustav,' right?" Alyssa pondered, recalling the information she had heard from Colene.

Gustav had once been a henchman under Colene's father but later left the gang to pursue his own criminal ambitions by establishing his gang.

Back in the day, Gustav was so bold as to provoke the police, claiming that he would only retire after amassing tens of millions in ransom payments.

When he was finally arrested 18 years ago, the media celebrated, only to have Gustav grinning in front of the cameras.

Colene once remarked that her father's greatest regret was failing to get rid of Gustav once and for all.

"Yes, it was indeed him," confirmed a troubled Newton. "Javier and I were cautious, but Gustav seized an opportunity and kidnapped my two grandsons."

Alyssa's heart dropped upon hearing that. She whispered, "What happened next?"

"After they took away Justin and Jasper, they demanded a ransom of two billion dollars-one billion for each kid. That was an astronomical amount back in those times. However, I didn't even blink an eye and prepared the money. The safety of my grandsons came first.

"That cunning Gustav kept switching the meetup location to fool us. We dared not even file a police report for weeks after Justin and Jasper had been kidnapped."

Staring at the ground, Newton shook his head bitterly. "Jasper went through a lot and escaped from where they were held with injuries over his body. I couldn't believe it—he was only 11!"

"Did he escape alone?" Alyssa gasped in surprise. "How did he manage to pull it off at that age, surrounded by those ruthless gangsters? Someone must have helped him."

"Yes. Justin did."

Alyssa inhaled sharply at the revelation.