His Destructive, Toxic Love

"A mistress?"

Before Mikey's incident, he had a decent gig, nothing too fancy but respectable enough. How could he even think of having a mistress? If he wasn't greedy, how could he afford one? "He faked his death to live it up with his mistress?"

Dillon nodded. "Pretty much. When we found him, he was celebrating his wife's birthday, looking all happy and content."

Casper's eyes narrowed. He stood up. "Alright, let's go meet my dear father-in-law."

"Yes, sir."

The room was like a fortress, heavily guarded. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Casper saw Mikey and was stunned. He hadn't aged a day; in fact, he looked even younger. His clothes were immaculate, his complexion rosy, and he had that smug, self-satisfied look. "Looks like you've been living the good life these past few years."

"Casper, why drag me here? I'm your father-in-law," Mikey snapped, looking annoyed. "Couldn't we have talked in Crescent Creek? Do you have any idea how worried my family is?" "Mikey, I thought you were dead?" Casper raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How... did you come back to life? And who exactly is your family?"

"I..." He grumbled, avoiding the question. "...just tell me, what do you want?"

"Who gave you the idea for this disappearing act? And who helped you sneak out of Falconridge to start fresh in Crescent Creek?"

"I don't owe you any explanations." He turned away.

"Don't you want to know what your wife, your daughter, and even your son went through during the five years you were gone?"

Mikey was clearly feeling guilty and remained silent, avoiding eye contact.

"Your wife has passed away. If she

knew you were out there living it up with another woman while she was still alive and you had faked your death, she'd be rolling in her grave."

"I regret what I did to Rose. I admit it, but I have nothing else to tell you."

Casper took a deep breath, snorting lightly. "Since you have nothing to say, I won't push. Dillon, take good care of him." His eyes were filled with a dark, complicated emotion. Dillon nodded. "Yes, sir."

If Mikey wasn't talking? It was time for Plan B.

It didn't take three days for Mikey to spill everything.

"Mr. Casper, it turns out the Martin family was involved in the whole thing. Aaron was behind it.

"Aaron reported Mikey, then leaked info to the media, claiming Welton International was using insider connections for personal gain. When the plan didn't pan out, they turned on their own. Mikey was arrested and committed suicide' shortly after. Rumors spread that you had a hand in driving him to his death.

"If Mikey hadn't 'died,' the truth would have come out. Aaron didn't want that, so he suggested faking Mikey's death. He'd get smuggled out, live it up with his mistress, and get some cash and a new identity in Crescent Creek.

"Back then, all of Falconridge was buzzing with rumors that you sent your father-in-law to jail and caused his death. Aaron's people spread these rumors." Dillon couldn't wrap his head around it. What was Aaron's game plan?

Mikey's incident had caused a stir, and Welton International took a hit, but nothing earth-shattering.

So why did Aaron do it?

"Mr. Casper, what exactly is Dr. Martin's endgame?"

Casper felt the situation getting more complicated. "Dig into Aaron's past. See what he's been up to all these years."Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"Yes, sir."