Justin Barber, Executive Vice President of Spencer Publications, appeared when Bill Spencer Jr. called him in to Los Angeles from New York. Bill and Justin met Katie Logan for cocktails and she informed them that Eric and Donna Forrester were meeting them for dinner. Donna arrived at dinner alone and it was clear to all that Donna and Justin knew each other. Justin explained they had gone to high school together. Shortly after, Donna researched Justin online and confided to Katie that Justin was Marcus' biological father.

Around the same time, Eric approached Marcus with a petition for legal adoption approval and announced that he had decided to adopt Marcus. Marcus was pleased and wanted Eric to be his father. Donna was not sure whether to tell Justin about Marcus or to continue to keep it a secret.

During a visit with Donna at Forrester, Justin questioned Donna why she had left him in high school. Donna could not give Justin an answer. Marcus interrupted the meeting and Donna introduced Justin, but did not tell Justin that Marcus was his son.

At Spencer Communications, Justin researched the Forrester family online and realized Marcus was Donna's long-lost son and wondered if he was Marcus's father. After Justin confronted Donna, she admitted that Marcus was his son, and Justin was overwhelmed with joy. Marcus was then told that Justin was his biological father.

Following the Spencer Publications takeover of Forrester Creations, Justin Barber became the producer of The Catwalk television talk show. He encouraged Donna to become the host and wanted to become closer to Donna, as they had been in high school.