After a long silence, Dr. Beckett finally sighed deeply. "Alright... I've buried this in my heart for so many years. Looks like I can't keep it hidden any longer. I might as well tell everything. In fact, I was planning to come forward with it myself in a few years."
Hearing this, Serena's heart leapt. She immediately asked, "Back then, why did Gaius suddenly commit suicide?"
Dr. Beckett fell into thought, then slowly began recounting the past.
"About my cousin's suicide... I bear some responsibility too."
"Many years ago, I was still in high school. I was passionate about medicine and dreamed of becoming a doctor. I studied desperately every day, pouring all my energy into academics. Naturally, I didn't care much about anything else. Eventually, some classmates gave me nicknames-'bookworm,' 'slob'..."
"At first, I didn't mind, but over time, they became more aggressive. They started ambushing me after school and beating me for no reason."
"I was weak and timid. Every time, I could only take the beatings. One day, when I was being beaten again, my cousin happened to pass by. To protect me, he fought back against the three of them. At first, he held his own, but eventually he was overwhelmed."
"His resistance enraged them. One of them suddenly grabbed a wooden stick and aimed for my head. At the critical moment, my cousin picked up a stone and struck him on the head."
"That guy dropped instantly, face covered in blood, unconscious. The others ran off in fear."
"After that, my cousin fled too-never went home. No one knew where he went."
"Years later, I had graduated from medical school when I saw him again. By then, he was the director of Beckett's Machinery Factory, living a very successful life."
Serena asked anxiously, "Did that guy he hit back then die?!"
Dr. Beckett shook his head. "No. But my cousin thought he did."
"What?! You didn't tell him when you saw him again?!"
"Sigh..." Dr. Beckett sighed again and continued.
"At that time, the local government was pushing hard for environmental projects. Beckett's Machinery Factory seriously hindered those plans. For the sake of performance, the officials tried everything to shut it down."
"But my cousin cared deeply for his workers and refused to agree."
"One day, a man in glasses came to me. He asked me to persuade my cousin. He said if my cousin agreed to shut down the factory, he could help me get promoted and increase my salary at the hospital."
At this point, Dr. Beckett leaned forward and held his head in regret.
"Back then, only those with higher titles could apply for research funding. I was desperate to continue my research, and in a moment of weakness, I agreed."
"So, Gaius eventually agreed to shut the factory because of you?"
"Most likely."
"What exactly did you say to him? He was so adamant about keeping the factory open before!"
"I told him the man he hit back then died from his injuries-and that the police had been looking for him all these years. I suggested that, for the sake of his wife and kids, he should shut down the factory, take the money, and run far away."
"So... you lied to him?!"
"Yeah..." Dr. Beckett nodded painfully. "I never imagined he'd be so kindhearted-that he'd risk his own safety for his workers."
"He must've thought he was a murderer, and even if he fled, he'd be hiding for the rest of his life. That's why he jumped from that building. It's all my fault! If I hadn't lied to him, maybe he wouldn't have done it!"
Serena was visibly shaken. After a moment's silence, she asked, "That man who came to you-was it my father?!"
"He wasn't Mayor Knowles."
At those words, Serena's tense heart finally relaxed a little.
But just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he added, "However... he was Mayor Knowles' secretary."
"My father's secretary?!" Serena's heart sank. "Are you sure?!"
"Yes! When he came to me, he said he was Mayor Knowles' confidential secretary and even showed me his credentials."
Serena was momentarily stunned.
Although her father seldom talked about work at home, she did know who his secretary was.
That man was named Matt Lewis, and he was known for being extremely competent.
He had worked for Bram for many years, and Bram trusted him deeply. Nothing major or minor passed without his involvement.
If it really was Matt Lewis who came to see Gaius, then it was essentially acting on Bram's behalf.
Could it be that the father she had always admired and respected was actually a man who would sacrifice others for political gain, completely disregarding the lives of the people?
No! That can't be! Absolutely not!
Serena bit her lower lip tightly, shaking her head unconsciously, her face full of disbelief.
Xavier quickly took her hand, his eyes full of concern. "Serena, don't panic yet. There are still too many unanswered questions."
Then he turned to Dr. Beckett, "That man who claimed to be Mayor Knowles' secretary-did he ever show up together with Mayor Knowles?"
"Hmm..." Dr. Beckett frowned and thought for a moment.
"No! He always came alone. This kind of matter is shady business, done under the table. The fewer people who know, the better. They would never bring a crowd and make it obvious."
Xavier narrowed his eyes, "If he never showed up with Mayor Knowles, then how can you be sure he was really Mayor Knowles' secretary?"
"It said so right on his ID-he was the mayor's secretary!"
"Mayor's secretary?" A faint smirk appeared at the corner of Xavier's lips. "If I recall correctly, back then, Bram wasn't even the mayor yet, was he?"
***