Chapter 474 Undercurrents Between Father and Son
The next day, news of Valerie's death quickly dominated the media and internet, sparking a frenzy of speculation about the truth behind her demise. Aucester, which had been devoid of explosive gossip for days, was once again swept up in a whirlwind of online buzz.
#Valerie, imprisoned for kidnapping Ms. Mitchell, has now committed suicide out of fear of legal repercussions.#
#The case of Valerie kidnapping Brooklyn concludes with her desperate suicide.##Valerie's death: with no witnesses left, who was the mastermind? Can the truth be uncovered?#
Different media outlets had their own takes on Valerie's death, and the sudden event rapidly spread to every corner.
Brooklyn and Sebastian saw the morning paper and exchanged a cold smile.
As he tossed the paper aside, Brooklyn's calm and sharp gaze held a hint of mockery. "Valerie's death was no accident. Clearly, someone didn't want her to live."
Sebastian adjusted his cuff with one hand, watching Brooklyn as she grabbed her bag to leave. "Obviously. With Valerie's news out, Megan's story will be overshadowed. Valerie's testimony could be overturned. Now that she's dead, there's no evidence, and Megan benefits."
Brooklyn's eyes flashed with a cold, cunning light. "So the person who killed Valerie and made her take the fall is either Lawrence or Simon."
"Most likely Simon."
"Damn it!" Brooklyn clenched her bag strap. "He was so eager to get rid of Valerie. He's ruthless."
Sebastian tapped her head, his smile slightly wicked. "You have your methods, he has his. In this game, Lawrence lost badly. Of course, he had to do something to cheer Lawrence up."
"This is murder! We need to find evidence and take Simon and his people down. Stripping them of their assets isn't enough!"
Brooklyn stomped the floor, her high heels making a loud thud.
Sebastian remarked, "When did you become so cynical? You used to ignore this kind of thing."
"What do you mean, Mr. Kingsley?" Brooklyn looked at him, unperturbed.
Picking up his car keys, Sebastian wrapped an arm around her waist as they left the villa. "I mean, you should stay out of this. Murder, bloodshed—it's too dirty. I'll handle it."
"You? What are you planning to do?"
Sebastian's smile deepened mysteriously. "You'll see."
Brooklyn didn't press the matter further, but there was something else she needed to ask.
As they reached the car, Brooklyn opened the door and pulled out a folder. "This is a cooperation agreement between my dad and your dad from years ago. There are a few points I don't understand. I hope you can explain."
Sebastian's deep eyes narrowed as he took the folder from her and flipped through it. His expression darkened, like sinking into a deep ocean. His voice was low and displeased. "I wasn't aware of this, but I'll get you an answer soon."
Brooklyn nodded, exhaling and licking her lips, worried. "Sebastian, I suspect your father's business has illegal elements, like Marc using the Mitchell Group for money laundering. Your father's money might not be entirely clean. Do you understand?"
He understood, of course.
Even Sebastian himself couldn't claim all his money was clean.
"Honey..."
"No, don't say anything for now. I'll wait for your answer. It concerns my dad, so I need to know."
"Okay."
Sebastian sat in his office, reopening the cooperation agreement. The terms of the agreement were clear, but there was no trace of the children's hospital from back then. It was evident someone was deliberately covering it up.
Just then, Quinn knocked on the office door.
Quinn entered and placed a financial report on Sebastian's desk, rubbing his brow and remaining silent for a while.
Sebastian glanced at his expression, then at the report. "What's wrong? Just say it."
Quinn bit his lip, his smile strained. "Sebastian, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."
"Say it."
With permission, Quinn took a deep breath, opened the report, and turned to a page, hesitating. "I found a large sum of money transferred out, destination unknown. But... the signature is Dad's. I didn't dare ask him, so I'm asking you. What's going on?"
Sebastian pulled the report closer, quickly scanning the data. "Who else knows about this?"
Quinn shook his head. "Only you and I know. Dad's private accounts are always confidential, only coming to me at the end. And I think this might not be the first time. So... what do you think, Sebastian?"
Sebastian flipped through a few more pages. Everything else was fine, except for this sudden, huge amount.
"We need to ask Dad to understand the situation." Sebastian's voice was heavy, his fingers rubbing his chin in thought, recalling Brooklyn's words. His suspicions grew.
"Ask Dad? I don't dare. If you want to ask, you go."
Quinn, as the finance manager, felt frustrated and aggrieved. He had worked tirelessly and still had to cover for his father's mysterious funds.
"Okay, I'll go now."
"What? Now? Sebastian, don't rush. Think about how to talk to Dad. Stay calm, stay calm, Sebastian!"
Ignoring his advice, Sebastian strode out of the office. He needed answers about the old cooperation case and the current fund transfers.
Quinn watched Sebastian leave, clutching his chest in fear. "Oh my God, I hope Sebastian and Dad don't get into a fight. Sebastian looked scary just now."
Quinn's imagination ran wild, and he imagined a confrontation. If Dad and Sebastian really fought, who should he help?
He had to admit, his heart was with Sebastian.
Sebastian, holding the folder and financial report, stormed out of the VIP elevator, exuding a menacing aura as he headed straight for the chairman's office. Several secretaries and executives greeted him, but he ignored them.
In a flash, he violently pushed open the chairman's office door.
He had been so focused on external enemies that he had overlooked the people within the Kingsley family. It was laughable.
"Mr. Kingsley..."
"Mr. Kingsley..."
Several people reporting to Brian greeted him, but Sebastian's gaze was fixed on Brian, ignoring the others.
Brian capped his pen and waved them away.
The office was left with just the father and son, one filled with murderous intent, the other calm. Their eyes met, sparks flying.
"What brings you here in such a rage?" Brian sipped his tea leisurely.
Sebastian's face was tense as he slammed the documents on Brian's mahogany desk. "Take a look at these and think about how to explain."
Brian glanced at the contract and financial report, a cold smile playing on his lips. His eyes, sharp and calculating, showed a practiced indifference. "Just for this?"
Sebastian's smile was crooked. "Don't you think this warrants a proper explanation?"
Brian nodded, then sneered. "An old corporate case and a vague financial report. What do you want me to explain?"
"The children's hospital you and the Mitchell Group collaborated on disappeared after Mr. Mitchell died. I'm curious about that. So, do you want to tell me, or should I uncover what you've hidden? If the truth is ugly, it might tarnish your reputation."
Brian didn't intend to hide anything. His smile grew more cunning. "Yes, I did establish the children's hospital, but it wasn't convenient for my plans. Mr. Mitchell was stubborn... Fortunately, he died soon after. I canceled the hospital and set up a financial institution."
Sebastian snorted. "What did you do with this financial institution?"
Brian stood, turning his back to Sebastian and looking out the window. "Sebastian, do you know how much tax MBK pays annually?"
Sebastian's heart sank. "You used the financial company to evade taxes?"
Brian remained still, his expression hidden, but his coldness was palpable. "Tax avoidance is essential for a company's long-term development."
"That's illegal." Sebastian rubbed his brow, disgusted. It wasn't money laundering, but tax evasion.
"Yes, tax evasion is illegal. But what will you do? Report me? Let the authorities know MBK's financial truth? Undergo audits and shutdowns? You won't, Sebastian. I'm your father. I know you well. And now that you know the truth, you're an accomplice if you don't report it. We're on the same side."
Those cold eyes were unfamiliar and terrifying.
Unexpected and shocking.
Sebastian stood tall, his smile composed. "This ends here. I'll clean up your tax-evading financial company."
Clean? How could such a thing be clean?
Brian didn't respond; instead, he turned to the other report. "I figured Quinn would show you this. You must be wondering why the money was transferred."
Sebastian's patience wore thin, his anger rising. "Since you know, just say it."
Brian's probing gaze met Sebastian's. As a father, he resented his son questioning him. "Emberlyn Bank."
"For what?"
"You have no right to know."
"I'll find out. Do you want to test that?"
Having led MBK for years, Sebastian had never seen Brian so blatantly manipulate company funds. But now, his actions were too frequent.
"Then find out."
"Dad, you're digging your own grave."
"It is a grave, but not for me."
Brian set down his half-finished tea, his gaze like a predator's. "Sebastian, you've gotten too comfortable in your position, using MBK to crush too many people, giving me no face. I've been too lenient and too lax in discipline. Now, I'll show you, a son is still a son."
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