Eighty One

CHAPTER 81

New York City police station.

"You'll be very surprised at what I've found on the internet, Detective." Noel said.

Nicholas was busy on the computer when Noel said that. The American turned around, looking at Noel with a curious expression. He pointed to the chair opposite and said, "You can sit there and tell me, Noel. What did you find?"

Noel sat down as Nicholas requested.

And the blond-haired man immediately handed Nicholas a piece of paper containing information, an article from an internet site. "The woman named Angela Vasylchenko is a British councillor who has a long career in New York, she is fifty years old now and has been living abroad since her treatment in New York was deemed a failure."

Noel's explanation made Nicholas frown. He paid close attention to Noel's every word. He's looked serious.

"So, what about her medical records?" asked Nicholas as he scrutinized the sheets of paper on the table, examining them one by one. "Why did her treatment in New York fail? A counselor, it's impossible to receive poor treatment because they have a lot of money. This is strange."

But Noel couldn't satisfy Nicholas' ambitious desires. "I haven't moved that far without orders from you, Detective." He then tapped his finger on the sheet of paper that Nicholas had now put back on the table. "But in some articles, it was also mentioned that this woman named Angela was hospitalized in a first-class facility because she has a severe liver disorder. She is dying and it seems... her condition is urgent."

Nicholas' light brown eyes rounded in disbelief. "But she survived, didn't she? Isn't she living abroad now? How did she get through the illness if her treatment is considered a failure? It really doesn't make sense." Nicholas' questions seemed to be directed at himself. "God, are all these people really interconnected?"

And Noel nodded in agreement. "I haven't gotten any details yet, but I heard she got a donor liver from someone." Noel leaned forward and looked more serious now. "We mustn't forget about her privileges as one of the council members."

"Hm, that woman is definitely wealthy and will pay big bucks for whoever donates a liver to her," Nicholas muttered. He nodded his head, but then looked at Noel with knitted brows. "But why did she have to leave her career in New York? It's a privillege that she would have a hard time getting in any other country, unless she has connections and... other privileges abroad."

Noel didn't answer. He just mumbled and shook his head at the detective. After all, the information she had gotten on the internet did not go into that much detail. Just getting an old article about Angela Vasylchenko was considered good luck. It was hard to find articles about her.

"I guess I'll have to find out more to be able to answer your question, Detective."

"So, what about her family?" Nicholas added. He had been in a state of perpetual curiosity ever since the woman named Sarah finally revealed everything. All of this was supposed to be interconnected, wasn't it? "Did you get any information about that, Noel?"

Natalie's secret, which was kept tightly closed by such a large hospital, managed to leave a big question mark for Nicholas. Given that Wilson Blake was the owner of the decade-old hospital. Nicholas was sure, Ace must know something because Ace and Wilson Blake's relationship was family.

Blood, always thicker than water.

Nicholas just needs a way to bring the big secret to the surface. But, how?

"That's what might surprise you, Detective," Noel said mysteriously.

And of course, Nicholas, who was wearing a plain black shirt today, furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean, Noel?"

Instead of immediately explaining, Noel took a deep breath and strengthened his courage to speak up again in front of his senior. He straightened up and said, "That Angela Vasylchenko woman has a husband who lives in New York and he's... Wilson Blake."

"WHAT?! So you're saying... Angela is Wilson Blake's wife, and Angela is... Ace's biological mother?"

***

"Now, what?"

Brittany dropped her ass right onto the couch. And she looked concerned for her best friend. Ever since Brittany had come to her house, Alicia had just stayed there, staring at the TV that wasn't even on and pursing her lips nervously.

"I don't know how Ace knows everything, Britt," Alicia complained. Even the dark-haired girl was ruffling her hair in frustration now. "Ace doesn't even reply to my messages. He must be very angry. Especially since all of this has to do with Nicholas, the murder case, the death... Ace hates it all."

A short mumble was then heard from Brittany who now crossed her arms over her chest. "Maybe Ace is busy as usual," she tried to soothe. "This must have really upset him and put him in a bad mood. It's good to think positively."

Alicia groaned loudly. "Huh, what do I do now?" She shook her head quickly. "I didn't know things would get this messy. I really did."

"How about you come to his office?" Brittany suggested. "Maybe he'll feel better after seeing you arrive with a bottle of wine." The chubby-cheeked girl then smiled broadly, showing off her neat row of teeth. "My idea wasn't bad, was it?"

"Not bad."

Brittany then plopped down in her spot. "Is there something you're worried about, Alicia?"

"I asked her something and when she answered my question, I could suddenly tell that she was lying," Alicia said. "My intuition has never been wrong. But right now, I don't want to trust my intuition, Britt. I want to change my feelings right now."

Then the blonde-haired girl rubbed her chin lightly. She mumbled and asked, "Could Ace be involved in all these cases?"

"I don't know." Alicia rolled her head in frustration and looked down weakly. "I'm not sure if I can accept the truth if Ace is really connected to this case."