"... As everyone knows, not long ago, I encountered an assassination attempt. Although this isn't the first time I've faced an assassination attempt, I still couldn't help but feel a bit startled. Well, not really, just a bit saddened. I can't figure out why anyone would want me dead. Am I really that bad?"

Havenius stood atop a lofty platform, dressed in a lavish vintage suit that accentuated his extraordinary nobility. Yet his words and tone suggested he wasn't really aloof.

Especially that final rhetorical question, which carried a hint of grievance, making the audience below feel some sympathy for him.

"Your Highness is certainly great!"

"Don't be sad, Your Highness."

"We will always love you, Your Highness."

Such sentiments arose one after another.

Havenius laughed, "Everyone still loves me as always, so I'm relieved. Alright, back to the main topic. I don't think anyone understands why someone would want to assassinate me. But, as it happens, I know someone who does. Let him come forward and answer your doubts."

Indeed, today's press conference is essentially set for Joseph, meant for him to publicly admit his collusion with West and Johnny Blackbird to initiate this assassination attempt.

As for the reasons, that's the question for everyone to ask.

Amid expectations and doubts, Joseph stepped forward to the front.

"Let me introduce myself first. I am Joseph Evans, the former commander of the fourth division of the Kingdom Defense Bureau's operations department."

As soon as he finished speaking, the audience was in an uproar.

Previously, it was only revealed that there was a Kingdom Defense Bureau member involved, but no one expected it to be someone holding the position of commander. Moreover, this person bore the surname Evans.

People in the Royal Capital are seldom unaware of the weight behind the Evans surname.

One of the ten founding families, an absolute pillar of the nation, loyal servants of the royal family.

Such a person was involved in the conspiracy to assassinate the Eldest Prince?!

What exactly happened?

The journalists already sensing the underlying situation had their eyes shining, knowing this was big news.

"Mr. Joseph, may I ask if you were involved in the assassination attempt on His Highness Havenius?"

In the front row, a pre-arranged reporter asked the first question.

"Of course, otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here."

Joseph nodded.

He fully admitted it.

This made the discussions below even more fervent.

"Why would you do such a thing? Aren't you an Evans? Is it just your idea, or..."

This question was hazardous; a wrong answer could ruin the entire Evans family.

However, Jonas, one of the involved parties, was unfazed, merely watching below as he prepared to play the role of the furious brother condemning his treacherous sibling.

"I acted alone, it has nothing to do with my family."

This answer made everyone think he was a brave man.

"Why did you get involved in this case? Was it personal vendetta or something else?"

This question delved deeper.

It was a critical pre-arranged question.

Enough to pull some entirely into this case.

But it couldn't be too obvious.

So, the answer to this question was also vague.

In the prepared response for Joseph, it went like this: "No, it wasn't anything else, I just fell in love with a woman, nothing more."

This sentence was enough.

Because the more one denies, the more people naturally think of more.

For example, Joseph's background, and he might have some connection with the Second Prince, who was stirring up trouble in the military.

As for falling in love with a woman, nobody would really believe a scion of a great family would be so innocent.

There had to be some political conspiracy involved.

People were waiting for Joseph's answer.

Reporters were waiting, and so was Jonas.

He was waiting for that question to be asked, so he could go on stage.

Very soon, reporters would ask, "Can you tell us about that woman?"

Joseph would confess to being seduced by West, connecting with Moerma's rebels, and plotting the assassination together.

That's when Jonas should...

"Due to duty, your question is absurd. I am a member of the Kingdom Defense Bureau. I am responsible for protecting the nation, the King, and the royal family. On the day of the assassination, I took over the entire scene. Your question is too strange. Today I am here to tell everyone what happened. What do you mean by this?"

As Joseph spoke, his words became sharp, his tone agitated, as if he was about to arrest the reporter any second.

This statement was beyond everyone's expectation.

What's going on?

Wasn't today about getting the criminal to confess?

Why does he look so innocent now?

Havenius' smile didn't change, only slowly turning to look at Michelle beside him.

Michelle was flustered; this was entirely different from what was agreed upon.

Jonas was certain, especially since he verified it himself, that Joseph was very cooperative.

So, did this kid trick everyone?

Jonas looked solemn as he rushed from backstage to the stage.

He didn't know which step went wrong.

In his mind, he kept replaying the scenes of crossing words with Joseph.

This morning, their conversation, every word, every sentence, every glance, he missed none.

Where did it go wrong?

This brother seemed to have surrendered just as he knew him.

At this moment, as if knowing Jonas would rush up, Joseph had already turned around, looking at this brother, his previously angry face replaced with a smile.

As if he was laughing, see, you were fooled too.

You lost.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I still want to say that we have indeed identified a suspect, and he comes from within our Kingdom Defense Bureau. He is the previously wanted Trafford, and I have also received news that today Johnny Blackbird will strike again..."

Joseph finally had his microphone cut off when he reached this point.

Michelle's mind went blank; Trafford, was this guy in trouble again, caught by the Second Prince's people?

It's over.

And Jonas had already rushed in front of Joseph. He was about to shout something.

Joseph suddenly approached him and shouted, "Brother, watch out!"

The shout was so earnest, but his actions were completely contrary.

He grabbed Jonas, pulling him in front of him.

"Goodbye, Jonas."

Jonas sensed something was wrong, hearing a piercing sound in his ear.

An extreme sense of nearing death permeated his entire body.

Where exactly did it all go wrong?

In a daze, a name suddenly came to his mind.

Ethan.

Wasn't he just an insignificant figure?