Capítulo 184: Chapter 184: Exposing the Truth
After introducing Beckett, who had been quietly observing, Castle and Blake continued their casual chat, patiently waiting for Winston Wellesley, the second son of the Wellesley family, to arrive.
Castle, pleased with achieving his goal of introducing Beckett to Blake, aimed to leave a lasting impression on the influential New York politician. His plan was simple: showcase Beckett's competence and create a memorable experience that would benefit her future prospects within the police force. Although Beckett played a passive role today, few get such an opportunity to be in the company of someone as influential as Blake. Today's meeting and the subsequent events would ensure Blake remembers both Castle and Beckett vividly. If Castle could solve the decade-old case in Blake's presence, bringing justice for his daughter, it would forever cement their place in Blake's memory.
Castle, now at ease, engaged in animated conversation with Blake. Unexpectedly, Blake found that he got along remarkably well with this widely known and well-connected New York writer. Had Castle not brought the grim news today, Blake might have even considered him a good friend.
Responding to his elder brother and the family head's urgent summons, Winston Wellesley arrived swiftly. Castle felt he had barely waited when the impeccably dressed Winston, exuding an air of aristocratic nonchalance, entered Blake's office.
As Winston stepped in, he noticed two unfamiliar faces and, perplexed by his brother's urgent call, casually asked, "What's the matter? What happened today that you needed me so urgently?"
Winston's demeanor, markedly different from his politically active brother, exuded the air of a pampered playboy, groomed by the family to indulge in a life of leisure. Despite his formal British-style suit, he appeared more like a carefree heir than a serious individual.
Blake, with a hint of exasperation, directly addressed his brother, "Winston, I need to ask you something very important, and you can't lie to me."
Caught off guard by his brother's stern and unhesitant question in front of strangers, Winston, puzzled and unable to fathom what trouble he might be in, reluctantly agreed, "Alright, ask away. Whatever it is, I'll tell you the truth."
At this moment, Castle interjected, "Mr. Wellesley, perhaps I should do the questioning. After all, we have a broader understanding of the situation."
Winston, feeling irritated and bewildered by this interruption, snapped back, "Who are you? Why are you interrupting my conversation with my brother? What's your deal?"
Blake remained silent, curious to see how Castle would handle his wayward brother, who seemed intent on continuing his frivolous ways. Meanwhile, Beckett, resigned to Castle's unpredictable methods, decided to watch how this would unfold, wondering if Castle could indeed uncover the truth behind the case.
Castle, unfazed by Winston's bravado, calmly picked up his now-cold coffee and took a sip, a gesture Beckett found utterly ridiculous. Slowly, he turned to Winston and said, "Mr. Winston Wellesley, we are here today with your brother because of a murder case from ten years ago. The victim's name was Olivia Derbyshire. Does that name ring a bell?"
"Boom..." The name hit Winston like a thunderclap. He was stunned. How could this man be investigating Olivia's death from a decade ago?
Winston, the quintessential playboy, lacked the mental fortitude to maintain composure. His immediate and unnatural reaction made it clear to everyone, including Beckett and the now intensely interested Blake, that Winston knew something significant about the events from ten years ago.
Unable to mask his anxiety, Winston quickly collected himself, despite the futility of it, and responded defensively, "What... What are you talking about? I don't know any Olivia. You're making baseless accusations."
Beckett, observing from the sidelines, could barely contain her disdain. Winston's defensive outburst only confirmed his involvement. Blake, too, was visibly shocked. Castle had claimed the family was connected to the case, and while Blake had been skeptical, Winston's reaction suggested that he might indeed have been involved or at least aware of the circumstances surrounding Olivia's death.
Castle, knowing Winston wouldn't easily admit his wrongdoings, pressed on. He knew Winston, following his mother's orders, had deceived Olivia, even buying her a luxurious coffin after her murder to cover up the crime. Confident that Winston's psychological defenses would crumble, Castle asked pointedly, "You claim not to know Olivia, but why did you pay for such an expensive coffin for her?"
This unexpected question left Winston speechless. He hadn't anticipated that the police would uncover such a hidden detail. Both Beckett and Blake were equally stunned. Beckett was shocked that Castle had discovered such a crucial piece of evidence without her knowledge. Blake, on the other hand, was beginning to realize the depth of the investigation and the extent to which the police had dug into the case.
Winston, now utterly despairing, waved his hands helplessly, unsure of how to respond. He turned to his brother for support, hoping Blake would intervene. However, the angry glare from Blake's eyes made it clear that his brother was the last person he could count on right now.
Realizing that his decade-long secret was about to be exposed, Winston was at a loss. The thought that his brother, who had always been composed and elegant, might now want nothing more than to disown him, filled him with dread.
Winston quickly pondered his next move, glancing at his brother only to find Blake's eyes filled with fury.
"It's over. This secret I've kept for ten years is about to come to light..." Winston thought to himself, resigned to the inevitability of the truth coming out.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter
Capítulo 185: Chapter 185: Confession
Castle showed no sign of easing the pressure on the anxious Winston Wellesley. He knew that to uncover the truth from ten years ago, Winston had to be cornered into a confession. Only then could he erase Blake's lingering suspicions and provide a solid foundation for solving the case.
Castle's plan was twofold. First, he needed to shatter any hopes Winston had of concealing the truth about Olivia's death. Once Winston's psychological defenses were down, he would push Beckett, who had been a mere observer so far, into the spotlight. Although Castle had taken the lead, this was ultimately police business, and he needed to transition it back to the authorities.
With this in mind, Castle relentlessly dismantled Winston's façade, exposing his empty bravado. "We already know that ten years ago, Olivia came to New York to find her biological father. At the family's party that night, it was you who lied to her, persuading her to leave. But shortly after she returned to her rented place, she was brutally attacked and killed.
Mr. Winston Wellesley, if you didn't know Olivia, why did you pay for such a lavish coffin for her? Can you explain that? Or would you prefer that we bring in the witness who saw you speaking with Olivia that night?"
Castle's unyielding approach left Winston drenched in cold sweat. His panicked expression and inability to stop sweating clearly indicated he was hiding something. Both Beckett, a seasoned investigator, and Blake, Winston's politically savvy brother, could easily read the signs.
Everyone present understood that Winston's denials meant he knew much more about the case than he was letting on. Yet, Blake didn't press his brother to reveal the truth, and Beckett was uncertain of the evidence Castle had up his sleeve, leaving her unable to intervene.
Maintaining his composed demeanor, Castle seemed ready to reveal everything. However, he knew he had to tread carefully. Revealing too much could expose the uncertain sources of his information and implicate Blake's mother, who was also involved. Thus, Castle shifted his tone, easing the pressure on Winston. He spoke softly, almost sympathetically, to the nearly crumbling Winston, "Mr. Winston Wellesley, I think you now understand that continuing to hide the truth from your brother is futile. For the sake of your relationship with him, would you prefer if I explained what happened, or will you tell your brother yourself?"
Beckett, who had been anxious about Castle's approach, now admired his strategic retreat. This move would mitigate any negative impression Blake had from Castle's earlier aggressive tactics.
Beaten into a corner by Castle's relentless questioning, Winston lifted his head in despair. Seeing his brother's angry glare, he realized there was no way out but to confess. If he didn't, Castle or his brother would uncover everything anyway. Feeling defeated, Winston let out a heavy sigh, his body language showing his resignation to the inevitable. He glanced at Beckett and, in a subdued voice, said, "Ask what you want. I'll tell you everything."
Recognizing that Castle's uncharacteristic aggression was to give her a platform, Beckett didn't hesitate. She went straight to the heart of the matter, asking the question that weighed on everyone's mind, especially Blake's, "Did you murder Olivia ten years ago?"
Though his defenses had crumbled, Winston was fully aware of the gravity of the accusation. Killing his brother's unknown daughter was not something he would take lightly. Shaking his head, he replied, "No, it wasn't me! At that time, Blake was in the middle of his critical Senate campaign. Olivia contacted me before the party at the Pearson Club. From her, I learned she was looking for her biological father. But her mother hadn't told her whether it was Blake or me. I informed our mother, and she instructed me to impersonate Olivia's father to keep her from causing a scandal during Blake's campaign."
Winston's disheartened confession left everyone stunned, except for Castle, who remained unperturbed. Beckett and Blake were shocked to learn that their mother was involved in the cover-up of Olivia's visit.
Blake, visibly upset, confronted his brother, "Winston, are you saying that Mother knew about this? That everyone except me knew I had a daughter, and you all kept me in the dark?"
Having resigned himself to his fate, Winston didn't shy away from his brother's anger. He responded with newfound vigor, "What choice did we have? You were in the most crucial phase of your Senate campaign. Should we have let you and Olivia meet and risk a scandal? You were running for the Senate! Imagine the voters learning you had an illegitimate daughter who showed up at the most critical moment. What were we supposed to do?"
Winston's outburst seemed to have shaken Blake, rendering him momentarily speechless. Even Beckett was taken aback by Winston's sudden shift from resignation to defiance. Castle, observing quietly, knew this was his cue to re-enter the conversation.
Stepping in, Castle coldly remarked, "So, according to you, deceiving Olivia, claiming to be her father, and standing by while she was murdered—all of this was for the sake of your family's reputation? Did you ever consider that Olivia was only twenty when she was killed, her whole life ahead of her, ended because you prioritized your family's so-called honor? Now that the truth is out, do you think your family's reputation is still intact?"
Winston's eyes, filled with a mix of guilt and defiance, shifted away from Castle's piercing gaze. His last remnants of resistance faded, leaving him to ponder the weight of his actions and the irreversible damage they had caused.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter
Estado de energía semanal
200+ Ranking de
Poder 
24 Piedra de
Poder También te puede interesar
Comentario de párrafo