One Hundred and Sixteen

CHAPTER 116

After a few hours, Kevin's parents finally arrived. Their arrival, Hailey and Louis, made Nicholas, Noel and Alicia who were sitting in the waiting chairs gasp. From where they were, they could see how Hailey immediately hugged Kevin and made sure that her son was okay, while Louis just patted Kevin's shoulder lightly while muttering words of support that they could guess.

After a while, Nicholas and Noel went over. Nicholas cleared his throat while introducing himself. "Excuse me, are you Kevin's parents?"

Hailey and Louis immediately turned to the source of the voice. They were quite surprised after Nicholas showed his ID card as a Chief in the NYPD.

"You're... a cop?" asked Hailey hesitantly.

"Yes, you're right." Nicholas nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry if we're interrupting the three of you, but we need to question your son about this accident. Kevin's close friend Brittany is still unconscious and we need to find out why."

Hailey's facial expression changed quickly. She felt that the police officer standing in front of her was trying to blame Kevin for the accident. She raised her face and responded in a fierce tone. "My son has nothing to do with Brittany. Didn't my son say that he wasn't the one driving the car? My son is the victim!"

Nicholas raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Madam, I understand your concern. We are not here to accuse anyone. We need Kevin's perspective to put the pieces together. His statement might help us figure out the exact sequence of events and understand Brittany's condition."

Louis stepped forward, his tone measured. "Officer, we want to help in any way we can. But please, Hailey is right. Kevin is just a passenger, he wouldn't hurt anyone."

Nicholas nodded emphatically. "I believe in Kevin, but sometimes, the details can get blurry after an accident. Even the little things he may have considered unimportant can help us. We need the whole picture to ensure justice for everyone involved."

Louis, the bald-headed man took another step. He narrowed the distance to make Nicholas uncomfortable. Pressing his tongue against his mouth, Louis whispered, "How much money do you need, Chief?"

"What do you mean?"

"You want our money to close the case, don't you?" Louis smirked, he had offended Nicholas. "We'll pay anything, as long as you don't bother our son."

Hailey's eyes flashed with anger, her hands shaking as she struggled to contain her emotions towards Nicholas. "Do you really want to make Kevin the guilty one in this accident? Don't you see that my son's leg was injured too?" Her voice was trembling, the charge slicing through the tense air.

Nicholas straightened up, his professional face unwavering. "Madam, please, I assure you, we are only interested in gathering all the facts."

Louis scoffed, his expression a mix of contempt and superiority. "Facts, huh? You cops seem to have forgotten what you're partying for." He leaned closer, his words like a poisonous whisper. "We know how it works, Chief. Money speaks louder than the truth. So, stop being naive and accept the money we're about to give you."

Nicholas' jaw hardened, his resolve unwavering. "I understand your concern for your son, but this is not about a financial transaction. We are here to uncover the truth, not barter."

Hailey's voice trembled, a mix of desperation and anger. "My child's innocence is non-negotiable."

There was silence for a moment, the tension thickening in the room. Nicholas shrugged his shoulders, looking at Louis directly. "I will make a thorough investigation, sir. Money will not affect our pursuit of justice."

Louis sneered, his confidence wavering momentarily. "You'll regret it if you meet us."

As the officers began to take their places, Hailey turned to Louis, her eyes blazing with determination. "We're going to fight this the right way, with the truth on our side."

Louis hesitated, a flicker of doubt flashed across his face, but it quickly dissipated into a cold, reassuring mask. "We'll see."

"We'll send a letter for you, so Kevin can give testimony at the police station. And for that, Kevin's car will be held."

Nicholas wanted to appear in control of the conversation, he would not be swayed by the temptation of nepotism from Kevin's parents. Justice must be served. Kevin had to testify to the accident.

"Just so you know, Detective. Our son has wanted to end his relationship with Brittany for a long time, she's a bad girl. She's a negative influence."

Hearing Hailey speak badly of Brittany, Alicia didn't stay silent. She got up from her chair, about to fight the older woman, but Noel quickly held her back. They met eyes when Noel finally said, "No, don't do anything, Alicia."

Nicholas could feel the undercurrent of family tension, each word a dagger aimed at the other's heart. He maintained his composure, recognizing the intricate web of emotions woven into the situation.

Hailey stood firm, her resolve unwavering despite the hostility in the air. "Kevin will do what's right. He will tell the truth. That girl Brittany made our son this way. She's toxic!"

Louis, whose demeanor was now a mix of defiance and insecurity, retorted sharply, "We'll make you regret accusing our son."

Alicia tried to push Noel's hand away from her, not accepting that Nicholas was being attacked by two people simultaneously like that. But Noel's conviction was also quite strong. He didn't want Alicia to get involved in other people's business, so he tried hard to hold Alicia's hand.

"I have to help Nic, Noel!" Alicia held back the snapping of her teeth because of Hailey and Louis' attitude. "They've gone too far."

"No, you can't," Noel replied confidently. She gripped Alicia's hand hard as Alicia rebelled. "Nicholas will solve his own problems and you can't get involved."

"But that asshole Kevin needs to be taught a lesson!" Alicia pointed at Kevin from a distance, she was furious now. "Does he think money will fix everything?"

"I know, Alicia. But you have to let Nicholas sort things out on his own."