Before he could finish his sentence, Nathan cut to the chase, âJeff, I already know nearly everything about my parentsâ accident.
Are you still trying to hide it from me?â
Jeffâs eyes widened in shock, and he deflated quickly.
âYou already knowâ¦â
He sighed with resignation.
âYou sent someone to apprehend me⦠It seems Mylo has placed all the blame on my shoulders.
â
Nathan continued his questioning, his voice unwavering.
âWere you behind the wheel on the day of the accident?â
Jeff nodded.
âYes.
â
After a moment of contemplation, he shook his head and honestly explained, âThat day, Mylo and I went out for drinks.
We both had quite a few, and I intended to call a designated driver, but he insisted on driving himself.
I relented.
I distinctly remember him being in the driverâs seat.
â
Nathanâs expression remained composed.
âGo on.
â
âOn our way back that day, Mylo mentioned how your grandfather favored your father and intended for him to lead the family.
Mylo wanted me to assist against your father, but I declined.
We had an argument.
After that, I simply ignored him.
I recall sitting in the backseat, and he was driving.
Then I dozed off.
But when I woke up, there was your grandfather, Kern, and a horde of police officers all staring at me.
â
He went on, âOn that day, I had imbibed a fair amount, to the point of being quite out of it.
After being rudely awakened, your grandfather took me to the ancestral temple and delivered a beating.
Mylo insisted I was the one driving, and we argued about it.
But that day, I was undeniably intoxicated.
Itâs possible I blacked out.
Perhaps everything before that was mere figments of my imagination.
â
His gaze was sincere.
âNathan, believe me, Iâve pondered this countless times since then.
Iâm certain it wasnât a product of my imagination.
Mylo deliberately framed me.
I never harbored any ill will towards your father.
â
Nathan listened in silence, his gaze still icy.
âIf you were innocent, why did you feel guilty and vanish to Yulford? Why didnât you come clean with Grandpa? Even if you didnât speak up at that moment, after contemplating it thoroughly, you should have revealed the whole truth to him.
â
Nathan glared at Jeff, his tone barely containing his anger.
âNot only did you withhold the truth, but you also aided in its concealment for all these years.
How can I believe you had no involvement in this?â
Faced with Nathanâs relentless questioning, Jeff let out a series of heavy sighs, his face filled with regret.
âIâm sorry, Nathan.
Back then, your grandfather helped cover up the incident and instructed both Mylo and me to keep quiet about it.
Your father was your grandfatherâs favored son, and his untimely death deeply saddened your grandfather.
At that time, I felt it wasnât appropriate to bring up the truth.
This matter has been buried for far too long.
But I must confess, I did have some selfish motives.
â
Nathan snorted coldly upon hearing Jeffâs words.
âNow youâre being honest.
â
The interrogation room became enveloped in a chilling silence.
Jeffâs forehead beaded with sweat as he looked up at Nathan, desperately trying to defend himself.
âWhen I saw your grandfather grooming you to be his heir, I thought it was for your good.
After all, Mylo held the most power at that time.
If I had told the truth, the clan might have forced your grandfather to name you as the next head of the family to make amends for what happened to your parents.
But that would have put you at a great disadvantage.
You were just a toddler back then, no match for Mylo.
It would have only brought you harm.
â
Even though I wasnât the one driving the vehicle that caused the accident resulting in your parentsâ deaths, I was there at the scene.
Mylo insisted on driving, and I failed to stop him.
That led to the tragic accident.
I share the blame.
I feel guilty toward you, which is why I never entertained the thought of competing with you over the years.
When Mylo stood against you at the ancestral temple, I even spoke up on your behalf.
Nathan, I genuinely care about you.
Canât you find it in your heart to⦠forgive me? Uma is my only daughter.
She lost her mother at birth, and Iâve played both the roles of father and mother for her all these years.
I couldnât bring myself to remarry, fearing it would affect her well-being.
Sheâs still unmarried.
Please let me go.
I still dream of witnessing her walk down the aisle with her beloved.
As he spoke, tears welled up in Jeffâs eyes, and his voice trembled with emotion.
He truly cherished his only daughter.
The reason he hid away in Yulford was his fear that Nathan would discover the truth and that Mylo would once again pin the blame on him.
And he didnât have the means to gather evidence.
All he wanted was to live a peaceful retirement and enjoy his daughterâs company.