Chapter 1700

Marcelo got straight to the point and asked, “Did you kill Cillian, your own father?”

Mason froze, stunned. “Mr. Byrne, I don’t understand what you’re saying! My father passed away in a nursing home. I’m his son, so how could I ever do something so monstrous?”

Marcelo did not answer. He simply stared at Mason with eyes like steel.

Mason held the gaze, lifting his chin slightly as if to prove his conscience was clear.

Finally, Marcelo gave a slight nod. “Fine. Let’s say I believe you… for now. In that case, why don’t you tell me how your father died?”

Mason hesitated, stumbling over his words. “Well… Mr. Byrne, you’ve got me there. Ever since he was forced to step down, he had been… emotionally unstable. He kept rambling about Mr. Lloyd wanting him dead. Eventually, the doctors at the care center said he developed some form of schizophrenia.”

He continued, “Not long after, we received word that he had passed. Honestly, all of this is my fault. I wasn’t a good enough son.”

Marcelo scoffed. “Of course it’s your fault, but the one who really deserves to die is Andrew. That man is ruthless. Cillian gave up everything and even moved into a care home, yet he still hunted him down.”

Mason shivered and said nervously, “Mr. Byrne, we can’t say that out loud. You know the situation. Right now, I serve under Mr. Lloyd. If he ever finds out I spoke ill of him behind his back, I’m screwed.”

Marcelo’s tone turned ice-cold. “He won’t be riding high much longer. When the tide turns, it turns fast. He’s been parading around Blumedale like a king for long enough. If the heavens won’t take him, then I will.”

Mason’s eyes lit up with subtle delight, though he masked it well. He fanned the flames, saying, “Right now, Mr. Lloyd’s power is immense. I’ll be honest, Mr. Byrne… It’s almost laughable, but even we, the Ulrich family, with our long-standing place in the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce, have grown afraid of him.”

He continued, “And we’re not the only ones. Many others in the chamber are terrified that Andrew plans to dominate us all and crush the competition one by one.”

Marcelo responded flatly, “Internal chamber politics are your problem. They have nothing to do with me. That’s enough. I’ve said my piece. Be smart, Mason.”

He turned to leave, but Mason suddenly dropped to his knees, sobbing hard. “Mr. Byrne, you and my father were like family. I know there was something suspicious about his death. But the Ulrich family isn’t what it used to be. We didn’t dare investigate too deeply. So I’m begging you, please… bring justice to his name!”

For a moment, Marcelo’s eyes burned with fury. “You have my word. For Cillian’s sake, I’ll destroy Andrew with my own hands.”

With that, he walked to the edge of the balcony and leaped off.

Down below, the guards never noticed a thing. They did not even hear a single sound.

Mason walked over and peeked outside. After confirming Marcelo had vanished, he burst into hysterical laughter and dropped onto the couch, finally letting his shoulders relax.

It was obvious now that everything he had just said to Marcelo had been an act. However, Mason was unaware that Andrew had witnessed everything from the ceiling vent.

This new Ulrich family head really had a death wish.

Suddenly, a slow, mocking applause echoed from the doorway.

“Mr. Ulrich, that little stunt—throwing suspicion around and playing both sides? It’s truly beautifully executed.”

As the voice faded, a masked man in all black strolled confidently into the room.