CHAPTER 219
"Brittany must be having a hard time right now. She doesn't even dare to talk, even though Brittany and I are very close."
Nicholas agreed, "I'll talk to Brittany and propose the idea. But, Alicia, we have to be vigilant. The threat from Kevin and the looming possibility of Ace's interference make every move risky."
Alicia sighed, recognizing the complexity of the situation they faced. "I understand, Nick. We have to plan carefully, ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Perhaps we should also inform the police about Kevin's sudden release and the potential danger it poses."
"I'm sure there's something wrong with the law, but Kevin has valid documents, Alicia. This is really strange."
Alicia frowned and tried to ask another question. "Did he apply for remission or something?"
"I heard so."
After a long sigh, Alicia finally made a suggestion to Nicholas. "Or, put it this way, now we focus on Brittany. We need to get her to tell us the whole story. Besides, it's already one o'clock in the morning for information. We should get some sleep and resume work in the morning."
As the plan took shape, Nicholas contacted Brittany, carefully explaining the meeting plan and emphasizing the importance of a safe and neutral location. Brittany, despite her initial hesitation, agreed to the plan, recognizing the urgency to address the situation.
On the day of the meeting, the trio gathered at the chosen café. The air was tense as they awaited Brittany's arrival. Nicholas and Alicia discreetly positioned themselves to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
When Brittany arrived, a mix of anxiety and determination marked her expression. The café gave a sense of privacy, sheltered from prying eyes and unwanted ears. As they sat in a booth in the corner, Alicia and Nicholas exchanged glances, ready to reveal a secret that could determine the course of their intertwined destinies.
"Alicia..."
"Brittany, it's okay. You can talk when you're ready." Alicia looked at Nicholas, then said, "We're not forcing you to do anything. OK?"
Brittany took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with a mixture of fear and determination. "I have to tell you everything. It's not just about me anymore. It's about the baby and the danger that lurks in the shadows."
As Brittany began to reveal the intricacies of her tangled life, the café became a place for confession and disclosure. Before they know it, the threads of their stories are woven together, creating a narrative that will test their strength, loyalty, and the bond that unites them in the face of an unexpected and dangerous future.
"About Kevin, this baby is Kevin's baby. I've never had a serious relationship with anyone, except Kevin. I told you, didn't I? Kevin has everything I want, affection, love, care, concern. I didn't expect him to change after meeting you on graduation day." Brittany looked down sadly, regretting the events of that day. "Then Kevin took me out to dinner, he started to show his true colors and scared me."
Nicholas and Alicia listened without judgment.
"We got in the car and wanted to go home, but Kevin kept holding his phone while driving. I thought it was dangerous, so I tried to get the phone to check what he was doing that night. He was texting someone, I thought it was a woman and we misunderstood. Instead of apologizing, Kevin intentionally crashed the car into a tree and let me hit the big tree there."
Alicia bit her lip, she couldn't stand hearing Kevin's mean behavior.
"And as we all know, Kevin tried to leave me alone, he wanted to run away, or maybe make me feel guilty alone."
Brittany said everything in a sad tone, this was a bitter reality that she had to accept.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Brittany poured out the painful details of her tumultuous relationship with Kevin. The café, which was once a place for casual conversation, turned into a confessional where secrets and hurt feelings were laid bare.
Alicia's empathy and Nicholas' concern shine through as Brittany continues her story. The weight of betrayal and manipulation that Brittany had carried became overwhelming in the reality she now had to face.
"He crashed the car on purpose?" Alicia asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and anger.
Brittany nodded, tears in her eyes. "Yes, Alicia. It was like he wanted to punish me for exposing his lies. I was left hurt, scared, and alone on the side of the road. I thought he had other girls, I started to get suspicious, but he made me the only guilty one here."
Nicholas clenched his fists, struggling to contain his own emotions. "We have to make sure that he suffers the consequences of his actions. But first, Brittany, we are here for you. You are not alone in this."
The café, a silent witness to their shared pain, became a sanctuary where Brittany found peace among her friends. Alicia reached across the table, gently squeezing Brittany's hand in a reassuring gesture.
"I can't believe she would do something so evil. And now, with the baby..." Alicia paused, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Kevin's changed a lot, and it's all in one moment.
Nicholas bowed his head, trying to understand how Brittany was feeling.
Brittany wiped away tears, gathering the strength to continue. "After the accident, I found out I was pregnant. I didn't want Kevin anywhere near me, especially after what he had done. That's when he showed up at my house, claiming he wanted to take responsibility. But his intentions felt sinister, like there was an ulterior motive." Shrugging her shoulders, she continued, "I had felt signs of pregnancy before the accident, but tried to ignore them and thought it was all stress."
Nicholas interrupted, "We suspect there's something more to Kevin's sudden release from prison. Someone must have helped him. Alicia and I will continue to investigate. But, Brittany, your safety is our top priority. If you're willing, we'll do everything we can to protect you and the baby."
CHAPTER 220 Angela sat in a chair, with The Fixer on the other side, staring at her with his Joker-like smile, wide and intimidating. There were no cigars like any other day, as The Fixer was holding a cup of coffee in his left hand. One of The Fixer's eyebrows rose as he tasted the coffee his client had given him. He sighed with satisfaction and said, "This is good coffee, taken from far away and very authentic." The Fixer then looked at Angela on the other side. "Would you like to try it first, Mrs. Vasyhlchenko?" The sarcastic tone rang clear in Angela's ears. The woman clucked, then crossed her arms over her chest. Tapping the surface of the table in front of her, Angela said in a firm voice. "Where is Ace? You said you had information about my son." "Wow, you still call him 'your son' even though he hates you so much?" The laughter that broke out made Angela even more annoyed. She had not come all this way to listen to the useless ramblings of a mobster like The Fixer. But An
CHAPTER 221 "I... I can assure you that this project will succeed. The profits are great, and I have an influential partner," Angela replied, her tone wavering slightly. The Fixer chuckled, a low, mocking sound that echoed in the room. "Guarantees, my dear, are as good as the paper they're written on. I deal in guarantees, not promises." Angela, sensing an urgency to get The Fixer's help, dug deeper into his offer. "I can give you a guarantee, an asset that you can seize if the project doesn't go according to plan. You'll have something tangible, ensuring your compensation remains in place." The Troubleshooter raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the offer. "Collateral, you say? Show me what you have in mind." The Fixer's question hangs in the air, overshadowing Angela's impromptu offer. Angela, momentarily caught off guard, gathered her thoughts, realizing that she was negotiating with a wily and unpredictable adversary. "I assure you, The Fixer, my project is straightforward. I ha
CHAPTER 222 "Is there anything I can do to improve your mood, ma'am?" But Angela wasn't in the mood to talk, so she took a deep breath and started to speak. "I'm not in the mood to talk about it. I'm in a really bad mood!" Holding out a piece of paper, she said to her personal driver. "Go to that address right now. I need to find the owner of the boutique before he leaves. He is my only hope of finding Ace." The man sitting behind the wheel accepted the paper and nodded obediently. "Yes, ma'am." And with full courage, the man who had worked for Angela for a long time immediately went to the address written there. He knew Mrs. Vashylchenko was in a bad mood and the work had to be really good to make her boss happy. The happier Angela was, the more money the personal driver would receive. Arriving at the boutique, Angela found it closed. Their doors were shut tight and the lights in the store were not on. While scanning the surroundings, Angela also adjusted her glasses. "Why is t
CHAPTER 223Nicholas, Alicia and Brittany got out of Nicholas' car when they arrived at Brittany's house. The modern-style house, painted in light brown and white, greeted their eyes and made Brittany's heart race. The closer they walked, the more irregular Brittany's heartbeat became. They stopped when they reached the door.Brittany looked at her two friends in turn, and she took a deep breath before finally knocking on the door.Knock! Knock! Knock!It wasn't long until Sophia appeared at the door. A confused look on her face, she found Brittany, Alicia and Nicholas all turning to look at her."Britt? Are you home?" Sophia opened the door, she smiled for Brittany's two friends who stood in front of her. "Ah, there's Nicholas and Alicia. Please come in."The three of them entered the house nervously. Especially Brittany, she kept chanting as her body sat on the sofa with Sophia. Sophia called Paul, the two of them had just returned from Paris. It was a short vacation as well as a fa
CHAPTER 224Sophia smiled in the midst of her concern. "We are a family, and families are always united in joy and sorrow. We will help you build a future filled with love and security for your baby."Paul, though still stern, showed a glimpse of compassion. "We will protect you, Brittany. And this baby will know nothing but love and security."As they faced the challenges ahead, the family forged a bond that was stronger than ever. They decided to consult with the authorities to ensure Kevin could not harm Brittany or the baby she was carrying. The road ahead was uncertain, but with the unwavering support of her parents and friends, Brittany felt a newfound strength.The room echoed with a shared commitment-to protect Brittany and her baby from the shadows of the past. Little did they know that this unexpected turn of events would not only strengthen their family bonds, but also lead them on a journey of healing and resilience."But how did Kevin get out of prison on probation? We di
CHAPTER 225Alicia and Brittany hugged for a long time at the door. And after a while, Brittany stretched the distance between their bodies. Brittany wiped away the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. She was truly moved by everything that had happened that day."I'm grateful to you both. I didn't expect Mom and Dad to be mad at me. I can see they're disappointed, but they didn't ignore me and that's more than enough."Alicia lifted the corners of her lips that were polished with pink lipstick, it was a very thin lipstick. She grasped Brittany's hand, then let out a sigh of relief. "You're lucky to have parents who support you in this situation. I wish you and your baby good health. But most importantly, you need to protect yourself from Kevin.""Alicia is right. Maybe I'll send a policeman to guard your house for the next few days. Would you feel safe with that?"Brittany smiled and nodded in agreement. "That would be more than enough. Keeping Kevin away from me and the baby wil
CHAPTER 226Alicia couldn't give an answer when Nicholas suddenly asked. She felt awkward because she had said a word that she shouldn't have said in front of Nicholas. But talking about marriage shouldn't be this complicated either. Alicia looked at Nicholas, stared at the man who was currently her lover and muttered something long."We need a lot of things for marriage. And I don't think marriage should be a prerequisite for entering and managing a company." Alicia looked at Felix who was also looking at her curiously. "These are two different things, aren't they?"Felix smiled a little. He looked at Alicia with admiration. "I like the way you see the world. But alas, this is business. Business is business. There are many people who would like to sit in your shoes, but Madame Michelle has put you in that position without you having to work hard, and you shouldn't waste it." The forty-year-old man took out a folder from inside his tote bag, he placed the folder on the table and showe
CHAPTER 227"I need time to think," Alicia finally admitted, her eyes flickering between Nicholas and Felix. "This is something I need to think about very carefully, and I want to make the right decision for everyone involved."Felix agreed and nodded understandingly, his gaze showing unwavering support. "Take all the time you need. We're here for you, no matter what. This company is also part of your future family. Just like Michelle said, you are a part of all of this."Felix leaned forward, his tone softening. "Alicia, you are not alone on this journey. Madame Michelle's choices may be mysterious, but her intention is to create something lasting and impactful. It's not just about business; it's about the lives we can touch and the positive changes we can make together."Alicia appreciated the reassurance, but unresolved emotions still remained. "I will meet with Christine before the official handover. It's only fair to understand who will be taking my place for the time being."Fel