Chapter 374 Bad People Are Always Easy to Expose
Ethan frowned, pointing at the file. "The documents you gave me last time didn't include this person's photo. Why is it only included now?"
He was pointing at Tony's photograph.
Diannel explained, "Mr. Yates, Tony maintains a very low profile. Photos of him are rare. This particular shot was taken yesterday during our investigation."
Ethan now noticed the photo wasn't an official portrait but appeared to have been taken candidly in what looked like a restaurant.
Ethan thought, 'If Diannel hadn't secretly arranged to have this photo taken, would he have continued to stay under the radar? Is this simply discretion, or is he deliberately concealing something?'
"Diannel, when will they arrive?" Ethan asked.
"They should be here shortly." Just then, Diannel's phone pinged. He checked the message. "Mr. Yates, they've just arrived downstairs. I'll go escort them up."
"Good."
Ethan reviewed Tony's file. According to the documents, Tony had served as Chairman of the Addison Group for fifteen years, consistently driving company growth. Diannel had been thorough – the file contained both professional information and personal details.
Ethan was stunned, thinking, 'The Addison Group... it's actually a subsidiary of Catherine's family business, the Addison Collective!*'
Diannel returned with four executives. Ethan closed the file and covered it with two other folders.
"Mr. Yates, pleased to meet you," the visitors said with practiced smiles, extending their hands.
Ethan stood and shook hands with each of them. "Welcome, gentlemen."
His eyes scanned the group, but he didn't see anyone matching Tony's photo.
"Mr. Addison isn't joining us?" Ethan inquired.
One of the men's eyes flickered momentarily as he stepped forward. "Mr. Yates, I am Tony Addison."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slight smile. "You're Mr. Addison?"
The man looked nothing like the person in the photograph.
A flash of nervousness crossed the man's face before he composed himself, but Ethan had already caught it. He smiled coldly, with a hint of mockery.
"That's correct, Mr. Yates. Is there a problem?" the man asked.
"Not at all," Ethan replied, eyebrows raised. "I've just heard that Mr. Addison has been in business for over a decade, creating quite a success story. Since the media has never published your photos, meeting you in person is... quite surprising."
The man visibly relaxed. "You're too kind, Mr. Yates."
"Please, everyone take a seat."
As they sat down, Ethan exchanged a subtle glance with Diannel, who immediately understood.
"Mr. Yates," the false Tony began, "it's an honor to collaborate with your company. We've already outlined the profit-sharing terms. If everything meets your approval, we could sign the contract today."
"There's no rush," Ethan replied nonchalantly. "Since you're all here, let's review our development plans for the property first."
Ethan's demeanor exuded cold authority. Despite their discomfort, none of the visitors dared to object.
As the others settled in awkwardly, additional staff members entered the conference room.
Ethan casually played with his phone, discreetly texting Nick: [Extend the meeting. Give Diannel more time to investigate."
Nick replied promptly: [Understood, Mr. Yates.]
Catching Ethan's signal, Diannel focused his investigation on 'Tony' while the man remained oblivious that his entire life—down to the color of his underwear—was being scrutinized.
Two hours later, the meeting continued. The four executives were fighting to stay awake through the tedious presentation when Ethan's phone vibrated twice.
He checked the message from Diannel: [Mr. Yates, urgent information sent to your email. Please review immediately.]
Ethan opened the email. The report revealed that Tony was a recently groomed successor in the Addison family—nominally Catherine's brother—and that the Addison Group was indeed a subsidiary of the Addison Collective.
More importantly, Tony had recently been in close contact with someone from Maridia, frequently communicating with a specific number. Through various means, Diannel had confirmed that both the phone number and the Maridian contact belonged to Josselin.
Ethan's lips curved into a smile, his eyes turning predatory.
He thought, 'So it's Josselin! I thought having him monitored would keep him in line, but apparently not...'
This confirmed that Tony and Josselin were working together with questionable motives. But what about the other three executives?
Ethan's gaze hardened as he texted Diannel: [Run complete background checks on the other three executives.]
Diannel: [Right away, Mr. Yates.]
Though the meeting continued, Ethan no longer saw any reason to participate. He tapped the table, his voice cutting through the presentation, "We'll pause here."
The four executives looked at him in surprise. "Is something wrong, Mr. Yates?"
Despite the cold intensity emanating from him—an intimidating aura that made others uneasy—Ethan responded with calculated politeness, "Gentlemen, this agreement is significant. In three days, I'll hold a press conference where, with multiple media outlets present..."
He deliberately left the statement hanging.
The executives, each interpreting Ethan's unfinished sentence according to their own expectations, nodded. "We'll proceed as you suggest, Mr. Yates. Here's to a fruitful partnership!"
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