Chapter 552 Comeback
The threat in Maggie’s voice was evident, but she had overlooked the most important point.
Though Sebastian was a Taggart, he was not raised by them, and he had gotten everything he had through his own means. After his graduation, he began working for Nathaniel. To the Taggart family, Sebastian was insignificant.
Sebastian had advised Madison against her reckless endeavors out of courtesy, yet she was undeterred. In fact, she went so far overboard that she dragged her family down with her.
In any case, Sebastian did not owe the Taggart family a thing. Even if he did, he had cleared. his debts a long time ago.
The Taggart family not only knew about Manuel torturing him, but they also condoned it.
I do not deign to align myself with such a selfish family.
Sebastian understood Nathaniel. Despite his cold exterior, he values me enough, or he wouldn’t have entrusted me with the mission of setting Manuel up so he could come to the Taggart residence to cause trouble under the guise of a rescue mission.
Sebastian turned his head upward to display the scars on his cheek beneath the bright lights. His narrow eyes glinted coldly.
“You are old, Old Mrs. Taggart, but not senile. You must know that Manuel kidnapped me firstly as leverage to get you back, as he coveted the a*sets under your name. Before he manages to get them, he could not allow anything to happen to you.”
Realizing that his carefully veiled plot was about to be exposed, Manuel was livid. “Watch your mouth, Sebastian!”
“Silence, Manuel!” Maggie snapped. “Let him finish.”
Manuel clenched his fists. Like a venomous snake himself, he fixed his glare upon
Sebastian.
Sebastian smirked. “Secondly, Manuel intended to use me to strongarm Mr. Hadley. Failing to prove himself to lead the Taggart family, he intends to take a shortcut and blackmail Mr. Hadley for some money to show for his abilities.”
Maggie glanced coldly at Manuel. Her eyes seemed to pierce through him and expose his innermost secrets in the merciless spotlight.
Manuel grew nervous. “Don’t believe a word they say, Grandma.”
Maggie clutched her rosary beads. She was so impa*sive that nobody could tell what she was
thinking.
Nathaniel thought it was an opportune moment to speak. “If you would like to see the evidence, Old Mrs. Taggart, it can be arranged.”
As soon as he spoke, the butler of the Taggart family entered hurriedly and stopped before Maggie to whisper something in her ear.
Maggie turned pale. “What did you say?”
The butler was grave. He cast a mysterious glance at Manuel before whispering, “It’s true. They’re here and are waiting outside.”
Manuel became increasingly uneasy.
Maggie steered her wheelchair and stopped before Manuel, then beat him with her cane. “You little sh*t! How did the Taggart family produce such a degenerate like you?”
Manuel was stunned by the blows raining down upon him, but he could not avoid them. Instead, he stood there resolutely. “What happened, Grandma?” he cried indignantly. “Why are you hitting me?”
At that moment, a group of uniformed police officers entered. The one in the lead swept at glance around before speaking cordially.
“I’m sorry to be turning up under such circumstances, Old Mrs. Taggart, but I’m afraid it cannot wait,” he announced briskly. “We have been investigating an international financial. crime of late, and your grandson, Manuel Taggart, is one of the people involved. Also, he ist implicated in a kidnapping case, of which evidence is right here before us. We must do our duty and bring him back with us to aid in our investigation.”
Manuel was aghast. The color drained from his face. “Impossible. You must have been
mistaken!”
“Without evidence,” the man rumbled, “we would not come. Please cooperate, Mr. Taggart.”
Manuel hid behind Maggie and fell to his knees. “I didn’t do it, Grandma,” he begged. “You have to help me.”
Maggie had raised Manuel. Despite his questionable character, she knew he would not dare commit a crime.
Maggie’s heart ached, but she maintained her scowl. “You mentioned something about an international financial crime my grandson is involved in. The Taggart family has a vast portfolio. You should be more specific if you want your accusations to sound more believable.”
“It is an investment for a medical project in Koandria; I am not at liberty to discuss any more than that. He himself knows whether or not he is involved,” the captain said before turning to his men. “Take him away.”
“How is that possible? Manuel widened his eyes in disbelief. He was about to make a run for it when two officers pinned him to the ground and cuffed him. “There must be a misunderstanding. That’s a large project. Nathaniel is involved too! Why are you only apprehending me and not him?”
“We are acting based on available evidence,” the captain said coldly without elaborating further.
As if coming to a realization, Manuel turned his bloodshot eyes onto Nathaniel. “It’s you! You set me up. F*ck you, you vicious b*stard!”
Amidst the commotion. the lights outside flickered and soon disappeared.
The image of Manuel being escorted away in handcuffs took the internet by storm.
Maggie slumped, defeated, in her wheelchair. “What has the Taggart family come to?” she croaked.
“Seeing as matters are resolved here. I should be leaving with my man. Take care, Old Mrs. Taggart. Turning to Sebastian, Nathaniel added. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah.” Gritting his teeth, Sebastian rose to his feet and hobbled behind Nathaniel. Throughout it all, Nathaniel did not take a single glance behind him.
He sent Sebastian to the hospital and accompanied him through the latter’s consultation. Though he had other employees to delegate the task to, Nathaniel remained by his side the entire time until Sebastian entered his ward.
“Get well soon. I’m putting you on paid leave.” Nathaniel said curtly as he stood by the bed.
“Thank you, Mr. Hadley. You don’t have to-”
Nathaniel interrupted, “You’ve misunderstood. Lucas is in the ward next door. I’m just on my way there.”
Sebastian froze before smiling knowingly. “Indeed, I have misunderstood. How is Mr. Lucas? Is it serious?”
“It’s a case of heavy metal poisoning.” Nathaniel explained. “By design, it seems. We’re still trying to figure out who did it. He’ll be discharged in a few days. Also, I’ll have people look after you seeing as you’ve hurt your leg to move about freely.”
“That’s not necessary. I can manage on my own.”
Despite the protests, nobody could dissuade Nathaniel once he made up his mind.
Thus, he arranged for an experienced servant from the Hadley residence to attend to Sebastian’s daily needs.
When Nathaniel returned to Scenic Garden Manor after dealing with Sebastian, he found Christina sitting on the couch in the living room, savoring the broadcast of the Taggart family’s scandal.
Sensing his approach, Christina reached out and pulled him down next to her.
“Tell me everything, Nathaniel. I understood the international financial crime Manuel is involved in, but what about the kidnapping charges? Who did he abduct?”
