Chapter 264: That’s Not How the Script Goes! This Is a Real Kidnapping

Chapter 264: Chapter 264: That’s Not How the Script Goes! This Is a Real Kidnapping

Seeing the wounds on Arthur Yates, Zoe Sawyer’s expression grew hesitant, and her tone became uncertain.

’If he staged this himself, aren’t these injuries a little too severe?’

"It’s hard to say. Some people will do things an ordinary person can’t comprehend for fame and fortune." Sean Hughes’s expression was serious; she had handled many cases like this.

Some people wouldn’t hesitate to sell their own children for such things.

Arthur Yates’s injuries looked severe, but they weren’t life-threatening. With proper rest, he could make a full recovery.

The cost of his recovery would be nothing compared to the attention and popularity he’d gain from the kidnapping.

Arthur Yates struggled to open his eyes. He saw the familiar icon on the phone screen and was about to say something when, a second later, a hand slapped him across the face.

"Shut up. It’s not your turn to talk yet." The man’s voice came from the livestream, his tone flat and devoid of any discernible emotion.

The voice was very familiar to Zoe Sawyer and the others. It was the same mysterious man’s voice from the recorder his assistant had turned in.

But Zoe Sawyer noticed that the look Arthur Yates gave the man was filled with hatred, not the delight of a successful collaboration.

This made her seriously question whether this was really a staged event.

Meanwhile, the audience who had been watching the livestream saw this and erupted in fury.

They weren’t just cursing out Arthur Yates’s company and manager; some were also fanning the flames, claiming the police were being inefficient.

"Call them. Tell them to turn back and grab him now." Zoe Sawyer couldn’t sit still any longer. ’We can’t let these people stir up trouble like this.’

Sean Hughes didn’t hesitate. She immediately called the team that had just left and told them Arthur Yates’s current location.

In less than two minutes, the officers who had left only moments before rushed back and took the man into custody.

Because Arthur Yates’s injuries were so severe, he was sent directly to the hospital the moment he was rescued.

On Arthur Yates’s livestream, as soon as the man was captured, the team captain took the phone, briefly explained that the kidnapper had been caught and they were taking the victim to the hospital, and then ended the broadcast.

"This is wrong, this is all wrong! This isn’t the script we agreed on! This is a real kidnapping!" Shortly after the livestream was cut, the panicked voice of Arthur Yates’s manager could be heard from outside.

His voice was so loud that it reached the ears of Zoe Sawyer and the others.

The three officers exchanged a look and, without a word, headed in the manager’s direction.

They went to listen, hoping they might finally get some answers.

When the three of them arrived, the manager was slumped in a chair, his face a mixture of panic, lingering fear, and a hint of excitement.

His fingers were unconsciously fiddling with his cuffs, and his eyes betrayed a calculating look he couldn’t hide.

’The kidnapping, which started as a staged play, has turned into the real thing.’

’That means I can keep using this. There’s room to work with Arthur Yates’s injuries, too. If I play this right, it’s guaranteed to generate endless buzz later on.’

’I might even be able to use this to get another wave of fans. His value will skyrocket, and he’ll be able to land even more endorsement deals!’

Thinking about the potential he could exploit, the manager couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.

’And I need to start thinking about how to build the hype. At the same time, once this is all over, I’ll fire the assistant. Then I’ll sue him for planting an illegal listening device and leaking company secrets and demand a huge sum in compensation.’

"Don’t get too excited just yet. This case has had a huge impact, so we might release parts of the follow-up interrogation to appease the public." Evan Keller couldn’t help but speak up, shattering the manager’s pleasant fantasy when he saw the undisguised scheming on his face.

Hearing Evan Keller’s words, the smug, calculating expression on the manager’s face froze instantly, replaced by an unconcealable panic in his eyes.

’If they really release it, then I’m screwed!’

"Officer, there’s no need for that, is there? You can just finish the questioning and close the case. That should be enough," the manager said, his expression panicked as he tried to get Evan Keller to take back his words.

Evan Keller didn’t answer him. Instead, he looked at the manager and asked, "You were just shouting that this wasn’t the script. So, what was the original script?"

Seeing Evan Keller’s stern expression, the manager wilted and finally revealed their original plan. "Our initial plan was for Henry Crowe to make his move when Arthur Yates had the most viewers on his livestream."

"I would guide public opinion and create buzz, while Henry Crowe would give Arthur Yates some wounds—a fair amount, but nothing too serious."

"After all, Arthur Yates is a streamer; we had to at least protect his face. But the wounds Henry Crowe inflicted were too severe. Some of them will definitely leave scars if not treated promptly."

"That’s why I was so sure it was a real kidnapping."

The more he said, the more guilty the manager looked.

Evan Keller sat across from the manager, constantly taking notes. Looking at the testimony he’d written down, he asked, "When did Henry Crowe and Arthur Yates meet? Did they have any conflicts? Any financial disputes between them?"

The manager thought for a moment, his tone uncertain. "I don’t know when they met, but it’s been at least three months."

"They got along great, had a lot of the same interests and hobbies. Henry Crowe is a rich kid who throws money around. He never held back when giving gifts to Arthur Yates. They didn’t really have any other conflicts."

After thinking it over, the manager just shook his head.

Just then, Zoe Sawyer suddenly asked, "Regarding the cyberbullying from Arthur Yates that led to Aidan Osborne’s sister’s death, did you offer any compensation?"

"...Arthur Yates paid five million. Don’t tell me Henry Crowe has some connection to Aidan Osborne?" The manager’s expression grew anxious.

But this time, his question received no answer from Zoe Sawyer or the others.

Heath Hale, standing beside Zoe Sawyer, looked at Evan Keller and said, "Since the chief has taken over the case, Zoe and I should go take a look. The case itself isn’t particularly dangerous, and the suspect is already in custody, so there’s no need to take too many people. With Barry Quinn and Monkey for protection, the four of us will be enough."

Evan Keller thought for a moment and nodded in agreement with Heath Hale’s proposal. They did have other matters to handle here.

"Alright, let’s do that. But you two still need to be careful," Evan Keller added with a few more words of caution.

They quickly divided up the tasks.

Zoe Sawyer and Heath Hale would go to Arthur Yates’s location, while Evan Keller and the others who stayed behind would be responsible for investigating Henry Crowe’s personal background and monitoring the public opinion online.

After arranging everything, Evan Keller looked at the manager, who was still slumped in his chair, and said,

"As for your company’s behavior in wasting police resources... we’ll have a long talk about that after the case is closed."