Chapter 480 Stop Shielding Your Mother–in–Law
In the top left corner of the screen, Charles smirked. “Mr. Middleton, busy day, huh? You’re only half an hour late.”
William explained, “There was an urgent personal matter, so I had to attend to it first. Sorry to keep everyone waiting.”
Bryan, who was on the top right corner of the screen, was in his office based on his background.
He was signing documents and said slowly, “Mr. Middleton, don’t mind Mr. Davis. He was just joking. We’ve only been here for five minutes.”
“Just five minutes? I must have been mistaken then,” Charles said.
Charles was listening to opera music in the background. The song that was playing was called “The Betrayal of Eleanor Blake“. He was humming to the tune and tapping his fingers on his knee following the rhythm.
In a sing–song voice, he said, “My memory’s been a bit fuzzy lately. I always thought that all four of our families had a hand in backing Xander into a corner. Turns out, it was just the Davis family. No wonder I’ve been the only one scrambling about while the rest of you sat idly by.
“Since that’s the case, I’ll just sit idly by too. I don’t care about the ledger or Xander’s daughter. Y’all can do whatever you please. We’ll see whose name is implicated the most in that ledger. I’m curious to know who’ll be the one to get executed by shooting, just like Xander.”
Everyone responded differently to Charles’s words.
William took a sip of his coffee, the steam rising as his expression hardened.
Meanwhile, Bryan paused his document signing.
Beathan, representing the Collins family, adjusted his glasses and spoke gently. “Charles, that’s not what we meant. We never thought that Edward would jump off the building. “We thought that he would give us the ledger if we asked. We also thought we could control Xander’s daughter, considering her position as Mr. Swanson’s secretary and Mr. Middleton’s girlfriend.
“We never expected Edward to be so loyal that he would commit suicide, nor did we expect her daughter to flee.”
Bryan nodded. “Yes, these events were unexpected.”
Charles scoffed, and Beathan continued, “But last night, I thought of something. Even if we find the ledger, it doesn’t mean that this matter is over.”
Bryan asked, “What do you mean?”
“We can’t eliminate the possibility that photographs had been taken or copies had been made. If Xander’s daughter intends to take revenge, even if we get the original ledger, she can always use copies to stir up trouble,” Beathan said.
Bryan raised an eyebrow. “So, Mr. Collins, as a lawyer, are you suggesting we silence them by killing them off?”
It was ironic that Beathan should imply that as a lawyer. He should uphold the rule of law, but he was suggesting unlawful actions. His profession and his conduct were indeed a contradiction.
Beathan smiled innocently. “Not at all. I’m simply providing a different perspective.”
Charles lowered his gaze and pondered. No one knew what he was considering.
William put his coffee cup down with a clink, breaking Charles’s train of thought and drawing Bryan and Beathan’s attention.
William stated indifferently, “We don’t know if Edward possessed the ledger while he was alive, and we don’t know if Edward had entrusted it to Emelie. We also cannot be sure that Emelie would risk everything to avenge a father that she barely knew.
“So, to suggest taking a life on a whim? The students really surpass the masters.”
They were even more ruthless than their fathers back then.
Beathan remained smiling. A cold glint reflected off his metal–framed glasses, like a venomous snake lurking in the rainforest.
Charles adjusted his camera, placing it closer to him.
Charles said, “I agree with Mr. Middleton. My instinct tells me that Ms. Hoven doesn’t have the ledger yet. But Mrs. Hoven most likely knows where it is. Mrs. Hoven is currently in your custody, Mr. Middleton. Stop shielding your mother–in–law and hand her over for questioning.”
Bryan nodded. “I agree. Let’s ask Mrs. Hoven first.”
Beathan smiled. “After all, we don’t have any other leads right now. We can only question Mrs. Hoven first”
After a short pause, William said flatly, “I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Charles switched off his camera and left the meeting first.
The opera he was listening to was nearing the climax. It was at the part where Eleanor was condemning her husband for putting profit above everything else, being ungrateful, and for harboring murderous intent toward his wife and children.
Charles seemed to have been reminded of something, and he chuckled dryly.
Beathan left the call next, and only Bryan was left.
William raised his head, and his gaze turned cold. “Mr. Swanson, is there anything else I can help you with?”