Chapter 616
Chapter 616
Chapter 616 The Unexpected Truth
Valentino sighed. “Actually, he doesn’t know the entire truth. What he did was piece together different bits of information and he used that to threaten you. Only what I’m saying is the actual truth.”
Cedrick refused to believe a word Valentino said. “Take care, Grandpa. I still need to handle some things in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Then, he turned around to leave.
“Ced,” said Valentino. “They’re blood relatives. I don’t want to witness the persecution of my family members again before passing on. I hope to see the entire family living harmoniously with each other.”
Cedrick stopped in his track but didn’t turn back. He pondered Valentino’s words for a long while before he strode out of his bedroom.
He was still bothered by the revelation of the truth behind what had transpired years ago.
Gwendolyn just happened to descend downstairs and spotted him standing absentmindedly in the corridor. “How is Grandpa doing? Did the medical corps check up on him?”
“He’s doing fine,” replied Cedrick.
Gwendolyn instantly understood what he meant-Valentino was pretending to be ill. However, she was merely Valentino’s granddaughter-in-law, so she could only stay silent about the matter.
Putting his arm around her shoulders, Cedrick asked, “How are the children? Are they asleep?”
Gwendolyn nodded. “They cried for a bit when I went upstairs, but I only needed to comfort them for a while. They’re really well-behaved.”
A sigh of relief escaped Cedrick’s lips. “That’s good. Let’s go, then. I’ll send you back to Harrick Villa.”
Gwendolyn was confused. “You’re sending me home first?”
Cedrick glanced at the watch. Only an hour left until ten. “I need to deal with Uncle Yael and Xander and listen to what he has to say.”
Gwendolyn held his hand, entwining his fingers with hers. “Then we’ll go together. I can’t sleep alone anyway, so I may as well join you.” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Cedrick found it impossible to deny her request. He was touched that his wife was willing to accompany him so late at night.
They left Valentino’s villa while holding hands.
When they arrived at the entrance, Cedrick’s phone rang.
An officer stationed at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s detention center called him. “We got a situation, Mr. Jenson! Xander has escaped his prison cell!”
Upon hearing that, Cedrick knitted his eyebrows.
Immediately, Gwendolyn knew something was off by observing his expression. She exchanged a glance with him.
Then, they hurried toward the Federal Bureau of Investigation and entered the prison cell where Xander and Yael were held.
Inside the dark cell, Yael was casually sitting against the wall, smoking.
The smoke he exhaled clouded his expression, adding to the gloomy atmosphere in the cell.
He lowered his eyes, suppressed the thought to perish together, and wordlessly waited for Cedrick and Gwendolyn to approach him. “You’re a terrible custodian of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cedrick. Don’t you think I deserve an explanation as to why your organization lost Xander?”
Cedrick stepped forward and stared down at Yael. “Impressive, Uncle Yael. To think your people infiltrated the Federal Bureau of Investigation and silently got Xander out of here.”
He had checked the surveillance room with Gwendolyn before visiting Yael.
Neville was working overtime investigating the matter, too.
Someone had hacked the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s surveillance room thirty minutes before Xander disappeared. They had forced all the surveillance cameras to shut down.
When the cameras came back online, Xander had vanished from his holding cell.
A scowl was present on Cedrick’s countenance since the moment he stepped in while suppressing the hostility in his heart.
Yael studied Cedrick’s expression and laughed. “You already know who did it, no? Is that so hard to believe it?TM
Cedrick’s fists tightened as he gazed at Yael wordlessly.
Gwendolyn, who was standing behind Cedrick, noticed his clenched fist and sighed silently. She, too, had figured out who was behind Xander’s disappearance.
Although the prison cell was quiet, the atmosphere was tense,
Yael ignored Cedrick’s rage and inhaled deeply before casually releasing a cloud of smoke.
“Your grandfather could’ve forced the person who caused your parents’ accident to pay a terrible price, but he didn’t. Not only that, but he hid the truth. Why do you think he raised you? It’s because he feels guilty and he wants to raise an obedient heir personally. Now that you’re becoming more and more disobedient, do you think he won’t try to keep you in check?”
Cedrick’s expression darkened as he recalled his conversation with Valentino in his bedroom.
Soon after Cedrick left the Federal Bureau of Investigation to visit Valentino, who had pretended to be sick, Xander disappeared.
Additionally, Valentino had planted spies in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cedrick had conducted an investigation in the afternoon, and then Xander was gone from his holding cell at night.
Anyone else would’ve suspected Valentino to be related to Xander’s escape.
However, Cedrick remained silent as he listened to Yael’s words.
“I bet you’ve learned Dad’s version of the truth from him.” A mysterious smile settled on Yael’s face. “I’m
confident you’re aware of the authenticity of Dad’s words. Only I know best about what happened to my brother and his wife back then. I can share that little information with you, but you must cancel Xander’s warrant. Don’t look into him and his whereabouts anymore whether he’s still alive or not. I don’t think that’s too difficult for you to pull off, right?”
Cedrick was quiet for a moment. Much like how he negotiated with Valentino, he swiftly agreed to Yael’s conditions. “Fine. Now that Xander’s escaped, I’ll leave him be and ask my people not to pursue him. Even if he dies, it won’t have anything to do with me. Right now, all I want to know is the secret you’re hiding
While Yael was satisfied, he still warned, “Don’t forget your promise to ignore Xander, especially when Gwendolyn heard you loud and clear. As the head of the family, you must keep your word, Cedrick.”
Cedrick’s hands were still inside his pockets as he gazed at Yael haughtily. “I will,”
Although he seemed aloof and nonchalant, he possessed a persuasive charm, not that Yael had other choices.
Yael looked at Gwendolyn. “I’ll only share this secret with you.”
Cedrick turned to his wife.
Gwendolyn nodded and left the prison cell.
Once Gwendolyn was gone, Cedrick looked at Yael, who was sitting on the ground. “Can you tell me the secret now?”
Yael extinguished the cigarette and gestured for Cedrick to approach him. “I’m still worried someone might overhear us. Come closer.
Cedrick suppressed his annoyance with a scowl, squatted next to Yael, and leaned his ear toward him.
Yael closed the gap between them and whispered a different truth from Valentino’s to Cedrick.
Cedrick listened attentively. As Yael’s story continued, Cedrick’s expression darkened further.
That’s impossible.”
Yael snorted. “What’s impossible about that? You only notice I’ve been watching you intently over the years. Yet, you don’t know what role he played in the family as he seemed to dislike conflicts. You can ask him in person if you don’t believe me.”
Cedrick looked solemn as he was still digesting the unexpected truth Yael had divulged.
While Cedrick was distracted, Yael sneakily reached his hand behind his back. Slowly, he removed the dagger hidden behind him and stared at Cedrick with murderous intent.