Chapter 204


    “Talking face to face is the only way to make things clear”


    Gideon was visibly upset. “Then out with it. What’s the deal?”


    Tarquin’s expression was nonchalent as he said, “I just wanted to ask you what you were discussing


    with Mike before Lionel’s incident?” Mentioning Mike caused Gideon’s expression to shift dramatically!


    He red, eyes fixed intently on Tarquin.


    The crowd, keen observers all, sensed something was amiss, stirring whispers among themselves,


    “Who’s Mike?”


    I think I know. A while back, Lionel and his crew bullied a girl. She ended up taking her own life, and


    Mike was her brother.”


    “Does this mean Lionel was killed by Mike?”


    “He’s just a nobody. Without someone backing him, he’d never get close to Lionel. I bet he’s just a


    pawn, there’s gotta be a mastermind behind the scene.”


    Everyone tumed towards Gideon, their eyes filled with varying degrees of suspicion.


    Gideon’s face turned beet red as he yelled, “Nonsense! Tarquin, are you suggesting I had Mike kill


    Lionel?”


    “No, I’m just curious why you were meeting Mike before the incident and why you sent people after


    Mike afterward. What could Mike possibly have done to offend you so much, Grandpa?”


    Tarquin might as well have had silencing a witness written all over his face.


    Gideon, struggling for breath, hisposure lost, retorted, “What are you talking about? I don’t even


    know this Mike.”


    Calm as ever, Tarquin produced a photograph. It showed Gideon and Mike in mid–conversation.


    The evidence was as loud as a p to the face.


    Gideon stood up so fast from his chair it might as well have been a jump.


    The crowd was in shock.


    Tarquin didn’t outright use Mike of being the murderer. But with the conversation taking this turn, the


    Bradfords, sharp as they were,


    got the gist


    Tarquin then reverted to his usual cold demeanor “Elijah is my life. Whoever dares to target my Elijah


    won’t face death from my hands, but a fate worse than death!”


    He rose, looking down on Gideon. “And another thing, don’t treat me, Tarquin, like a fool. If you’re


    nning to use me or frame me, you better check if you’ve got the brains or the means for it!”


    With that parting shot, he left.


    Silence enveloped the room.


    After what felt like an eternity, Allegra suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Gideon’s wrist, kneeling


    before him with eyes brimming with tears. “Dad! Tell me, what’s going on?”


    Gideon, gasping for air, pushed Allegra away, roaring, “You believe Tarquin’s divisive words? Foolish


    With that, Gideon left the scene, escorted by his bodyguards.


    Allegra was heartbroken as she screamed, “Dad! You’ve destroyed your own daughter! You might as


    well have taken my life directly…”


    The rest of the Bradfords exchanged looks between Allegra’s despair and Gideon’s retreating figure,


    shocked! They all thought Tarquin was behind Lionel’s demise, but now…


    Back in his car, Gideon passed out from sheer rage, revived only by a quick–acting nitroglycerin pill


    administered by his confidant.


    The confidant tried to soothe him, “Sir, please calm down. Although Tarquin publicly used you, he


    has no proof! Without evidence, its just his word against yours. No one will believe him!”


    “Quick, get in touch with Baby ET’s Support One. I want to talk to them today! As long as they’re willing


    to support me, I’ll hand over that iter today!”


    Mentioning the item, the confidant’s eyes widened as he asked, “Sir, are you sure?”


    “Do it- Gideon’s voice was a hysterical roar.