Chapter 456

Half an hour later. The imposing Maybach came to a commanding stop outside a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city–a private detention facility.

The back door was opened respectfully by a bodyguard, and Frederick in a slate–grey suit stepped out without a hint of emotion visible on his face. His eyes shone brightly but betrayed a bloodthirsty cruelty.

Chuck hurried over to report, “Mr. Winston, we’ve apprehended the culprit. We checked his phone–it was clean. It’s likely been tampered with by a hacker. So, there might be someone behind him.”

“Who’s the culprit?”

Frederick’s commanding voice sent a shiver down Chuck’s spine, and he couldn’t help but glance at the sign above the detention center, his face a mix of difficulty and regret as he sighed softly, “You’ll see for yourself once you go in, Mr. Winston.”

Chuck’s roundabout way of speaking irked Frederick, but he held his tongue and entered with an entourage of bodyguards in tow.

As soon as the door swung open, Frederick caught sight of the handcuffed culprit and his eyes widened in shock.

“Barnes?”

How could it be him?

Barnes‘ lips curled into a smirk. Despite having betrayed Frederick, the sight of his former master still commanded his respect.

“It’s been years, Mr. Winston.”

Frederick was in disbelief, his eyes filled with murderous confusion, “You’re the one who hurt my son?”

Barnes suddenly dropped the smile. It had been three years, but the aura Frederick exuded still instilled a touch of fear in Barnes, who silently nodded.

With killing intent seeping into Frederick’s bones, his jaw clenched so tight that veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes burning with rage as if they could incinerate Barnes on the spot.

“Why?” Frederick’s words were terse, the simple question loaded with explosive tension.

Barnes mustered his courage to meet Frederick’s gaze, only to see the unrelenting cruelty in Frederick’s eyes.

He knew that today, he might not escape with his life.

“I’ve served you for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of ‘loyalty,‘ Mr.

Winston. I was forced.”

In truth, Barnes, though often extorting money from Yuna, was aware he had a son named Manley.

He had never met Manley, nor sought him out in secret. But as the only blood relative he had, Manley held a place in his heart. After all, that was his flesh and blood.

That’s why he risked his life to go after Hayes.

Not just because Yuna paid him and slept with him, but also because he wanted Manley to become the primary heir of the Winston family.

To one day revel in endless wealth and privilege, living a life above others.

But he never imagined that Yuna would play him for a fool!

This had caught him completely off guard.

As Barnes hesitated over whether to tell the truth, the door to the detention center suddenly swung open again. Everyone turned to see Marguerite standing at the entrance, slightly out of breath as if she had run there.

Frederick was already on edge, and his tone was naturally harsh when he saw Marguerite, “Who allowed you to come?”

Damn it! He had told that woman to stay out of it, yet here she was, showing up uninvited!

Marguerite caught her breath and explained, “Hayes was worried and insisted on coming. I didn’t want him to witness this, so I came alone.”

“How did you know about this place? Who brought you here?”

Marguerite glanced at Chuck, and although the answer was obvious, she chose not to respond directly, “I was aware of the situation yesterday. Coming here today shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Before she could finish, Chuck’s phone rang.

He stepped aside to take the call, then quickly turned back to report, “Mr. Winston, earlier we discovered unusual transactions from Ms. Yuna’s accounts, and we’ve traced the recipient.

It’s… Barnes!”

Frederick paused. Yuna transferred money to Barnes? What was going on?

Could Yuna be connected to the danger Hayes faced?

Frederick’s threatening gaze fell on Barnes, but Barnes‘ eyes held a meaningful look as they drifted towards Marguerite.

After several seconds, he finally met Frederick’s gaze again, revealing a self–mocking