CHAPTER 375: THE PUBLIC CONFESSION

It was a cold, airy Thursday morning. Mist clung to the streets like foggy shadows, and the wind carried an eerie stillness.

Reporters gathered in front of the state police station in euphoric anticipation for the public confession that was said to begin at 10:00 AM.

At the stipulated time, Matt was escorted into the heavily guarded room, the shackles on his hands and legs rattling with every step. He was made to sit on an elevated table with armed guards standing on either side.

The camera’s light began flashing, and microphones bristled upwards as everyone waited breathlessly for the confession to begin.

Matt’s eyes scanned the handful of reporters before him, unbothered by their flashing cameras or their sneering faces.

He prepared his mind for the storm he was about to unleash while inwardly mourning the death of his family, who unbeknownst to him, are very much alive and in good health

Matt took in the faces of the armed police officers and the FBI agent patrolling the premises. He couldn’t help but wonder if any of them were working for the Don.

He had a hunch that the Don’s men would be prowling the surroundings, looking for a way to silence him, while their evil master observed from afar.

However, from the look of things, breaking into this heavily guarded room, where even the reporters were being closely monitored, would be an impossible mission.

Taking on one deep long breath and with a chilling calmness, Matt leaned toward the mic and cleared his throat before he began to speak.

"I know what you all are thinking right now. Matt Shawls is a monster." He paused, his hollow eyes looking directly into the camera as a deafening silence filled the room. "Well, guess what? You are all correct. I am a monster and I do not deserve your pity. I have done nothing but cause my loved ones pain, agony and even death. And for this, I deserve your hatred."

"I cannot say I regret some of my actions because I was betrayed by those who claim to love me. However, I regret not being a good husband and father to my late family. I regret the innocent lives I took out of jealousy and rage. I regret associating with some of the people I now call enemies."

Matt paused again taking in a deep breath before unveiling the second phase of his confession. His voice was steady, almost disturbingly calm, as he stated every crime he had ever committed, giving details of a crime so vile and so meticulously orchestrated, that it pulled the breath from the room and all those listening.

He revealed names no one dared to suspect or even mention as his mentors and allies.

He mentioned dates, secret deals, buried cases, corrupt politicians and government officials to the alarmed reporters and horrified investigator.

Companies with great reputations were implicated in Matt’s confession, and some corrupt law enforcement officers, who were on illegal payroll were exposed, leading to a crack in order inside the room.

But Matt was far from done as he continued with his confession amid the rising chaos.

He pulled everyone’s attention to atrocities committed years back when the late Presley Anderson was still alive and how his evil sabotage led to the innocent man’s untimely death.

This revelation implicated Senator Gregory Shawls and a host of other top billionaires, thereby questioning their integrity and source of income.

But the confession that shook the entire building to its foundation was the recent gold mine explosion that claimed the lives of hundreds and sent an innocent young man to jail.

Matt gave details of how he and his former ally, now turned enemy, orchestrated the whole revenge plan from prison, intending to destroy his niece and her husband, Blaze Anderson.

He mentioned Desmond, Regina, Pearl, his illegitimate daughter Gwen and even Lin Fox, who was currently serving prison time, as his accomplices to impersonation, theft, kidnapping, attempted murder and actual murder.

He also stated how his wrong choice led to the brutal death of his family.

As Matt pulled the curtains on his bombshell of a confession, he pleaded with Amelia to forgive him wherever she was, and he stated he was ready to accept his death penalty.

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Following Matt’s horrifying confession, several arrests were made over the next couple of days, within and outside the city.

Indicted billionaires were investigated and charged in court, with their assets seized and their accounts frozen.

Incriminated law enforcement officers were relieved of their duty upon confirmation of their indictment.

A warrant of arrest was issued to all incriminated members of the Shawls family and a bounty was placed on the Don, whether dead or alive.

Top government officials, who were incriminated in the confession, were investigated and made to resign with immediate effect, following legal and political actions.

One of these government officials, who willingly resigned from his office without question, was Senator Gregory Shawls.

However, based on the former senator’s ignorant involvement, he was made to pay a huge fine and granted bail to go and sin no more.

But in all, the one positive news that came from Matt’s confession was the immediate order for the release of Blaze Anderson from prison, with all criminal charges levied against him dropped.

*****

It has been over a week since Matt’s public confessions and several arrests have been made.

Desmond was fished out from his hiding spot and with minimal force, he sang like a bird, corroborating Matt’s story, while pleading for mercy

The Don was still on the run with the police hot on his trail thanks to anonymous leads.

Regina and the other were still at large, having successfully fled the country with the help of their benefactor, Tyler Young. But everything was about to change for this unsuspecting mother-sister-daughter trio.

It all started on a peaceful Wednesday evening.

The trio, thinking they had evaded justice and a fate, were seated inside the sitting room, enjoying a memorable family time with Tyler treating them to a feast.

Unbeknownst to them, words had gotten to the police department within their local vicinity and their current apartment had been quietly surrendered by both local, state and international police.