Chapter 410 The Events of the Past
Hawk couldn't believe it. His meticulously crafted scheme had crumbled before Ethan in an instant.
But what did it matter? Even if Ethan had guessed correctly, he couldn't possibly have actual evidence.
"These are just wild speculations," Hawk said with a confident smile. "And you're completely wrong. I suffered memory loss from an accident. I believed my name was Tony. The cosmetic surgery was necessary after a car crash disfigured my face. I simply continued living as Tony afterward—nothing like what you're suggesting."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, studying Hawk with penetrating scrutiny.
"Is that so?" he asked.
Something in Ethan's intelligent gaze suggested he saw right through the lies.
Hawk maintained eye contact for barely three seconds before looking away, his confidence faltering.
Ethan's lips curved into a slight smile. "When exactly did your memory return?"
"A few years ago," Hawk replied.
"Then why," Ethan asked casually, "didn't you return to the Yates family after regaining your memory?"
A flicker of unease crossed Hawk's eyes. "I didn't want to shock everyone. To all of you, I was already a dead man."
"Really?" Ethan's tone remained measured.
"Yes," Hawk said, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "These are all just your theories. Jimmy's death had nothing to do with me."
Ethan smiled, but his eyes remained ice-cold. "Hawk, you really don't give up until the very end, do you? Take a look at this footage."
He took out his phone, pulled up a surveillance video, and tossed it in front of Hawk.
The color drained from Hawk's face as he watched the screen. "That... that isn't me!" he stammered.
The footage showed Hawk thirty years ago, delivering ransom money. He had checked for cameras—how had this been recorded?
"My people have already apprehended the men who took the money," Ethan explained. "They've confessed you paid them handsomely to kidnap Jimmy and me. They've admitted to everything. Still want to deny it?"
Hawk had assumed Ethan was bluffing, but the surveillance footage was irrefutable evidence. Combined with the kidnappers' testimonies, there was no room left for denial.
He collapsed into a chair, his strength finally deserting him.
"Hawk," Ethan said coldly, "if you want any leniency, you'd better tell us everything about what happened back then."
Hawk lowered his head, hatred burning in his eyes. "Jimmy was the despicable one! He deserved to die!" he spat.
"I was pursuing Catherine first!" Hawk shouted. "But Jimmy used underhanded tactics to win her over. Do you think he actually loved Catherine? Not at all! He only courted her to secure his position as heir to the Yates family. Jimmy wanted to inherit the assets of both the Addison and Yates families!"
"That's a lie!" George burst into the office, having apparently arrived sometime earlier. "My parents truly loved each other. It wasn't anything like what you're saying!"
"I'm not lying," Hawk retorted. "Your father was nothing but a hypocrite!"
"I'll kill you!" George lunged forward in rage, grabbing Hawk by the collar and landing a punch that sent him sprawling to the floor.
As blood trickled from Hawk's lip, George prepared to strike again while Hawk laughed maniacally.
"George, calm down," Ethan intervened. "Let him speak."
George, whom Ethan had arranged to be present, had been listening from outside during the interrogation.
"He did such despicable things, hiding them from everyone," Hawk said with frenzied laughter. "I accidentally discovered his true intentions. I had thought he genuinely loved Catherine and was prepared to step aside and wish them well. But then I discovered he had other women—even an illegitimate child!"
"No!" George's face turned ashen. "That's impossible!"
"The woman I couldn't win was being deceived by him," Hawk continued bitterly. "I hated his promiscuity and hypocrisy. So when the Yates Group was about to announce their successor, I arranged for his kidnapping!"
Remembering the moment, Hawk broke into maniacal laughter. "I watched the kidnappers kill him with my own eyes. Watching his facade crumble piece by piece gave me such satisfaction."
"I'll kill you myself," George seethed, "to avenge my dad!"
Ethan held him back. "George, don't. Hawk, since you've admitted to being involved in Jimmy's death, why did you have me kidnapped too?"
"To misdirect, of course," Hawk explained smugly. "To make people think Jimmy and James were feuding. Then I staged my own disappearance so no one would suspect me."
"You're completely deranged," Ethan said coldly.
George shouted, "Hawk, you murdered my dad and now you're defaming his character. You'll pay dearly for this!"
Hawk fixed his gaze on George. "I can give you the address of that woman. Her daughter is three years older than you."
George grabbed Hawk by the collar again, their eyes locked in mutual fury.
Yet when Hawk spoke of Jimmy's illegitimate child, there wasn't a trace of deception in his eyes.
George faltered momentarily, a seed of doubt taking root. Could the father he had idolized truly have been such a hypocrite?
In that moment, George felt his world beginning to crumble.
Just then, several police cars arrived outside the building.
"Mr. Yates," an officer announced, entering the room, "you're wanted for questioning in connection with a crime. Please come with us."
As Hawk was being handcuffed and led away, he called back to George, "I'm not lying to you, George. Go verify it yourself!"
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