CHAPTER 208
Anna hesitated, choosing her words carefully when dealing with Noel and Nicholas. "I can't say for sure, but Madame Michelle often mentioned a legacy , a vision that she wanted Alicia to fulfill. It involves not only running the company but also guarding it from unseen dangers. There is something Madame Michelle is hiding from all of us."
Nicholas crossed his arms over his chest, looking very curious about the relationship between Star Corporation, Golden Group, and Alpha Company. He then spoke up again, "There is something we would like to know about Madame Michelle. In the five years that you have been working with her, have you discovered anything strange, anything odd, that might tend to put Michelle and her husband at risk?"
Anna looked at Nicholas wordlessly, she seemed to be thinking. Because it took a few seconds, for her to finally speak up. "Don't businessmen always have competitors in the business world? It's a common thing. And, I can't determine if any of these people are causing a threat to Mrs. Michelle. I rarely go to the office and deal more with deeper matters. Madame Michelle was very fond of consulting about her work relationship and her past with Alicia. It was a complicated but sweet family relationship. She told me about little Alicia who was still adopted by her partner, then-"
"Wait, wait!" Nicholas cut Anna off. "Did you just say that Madame Michelle told you the story of Alicia's past?"
"Yes, Madame Michelle told me a lot. She wanted to live a normal family life with Alicia, but I don't know the exact details and how it all started, I heard that Madame Michelle and Mr. Edward couldn't meet Alicia. They only exchanged news through phone calls, video calls, or emails. It's quite a strange family relationship and sounds like it's only for business purposes, but when we know that Mrs. Michelle gave all her personal assets and company assets to the girl, we finally know that Mrs. Michelle really loves her adopted daughter with all her heart."
After hearing such long words from Anna, Nicholas and Noel fell silent. They seemed to be digesting Anna's words before concluding. This was a complicated case because it involved a family and a company. There are political elements in it. But, which one should be investigated first?
Noel finally spoke up, he cleared his throat and continued the conversation, "Do you know about the Golden Group? The company headed by Wilson Blake, owner of several companies in New York City?"
"Sure, we've met a few times."
Nicholas raised one eyebrow curiously, "You mean, you and Mr. Blake have met before?"
"Yes, I'm accompanying Madame Michelle at Alpha Company's annual charity event. It was a public event, she asked me to come to monitor some colleagues at the event and usually, businessmen who want to work with Madame Michelle will try to come to the event to attract her attention." Anna squinted, trying to recall the series of events that happened a few years back before Wilson Blake was admitted to the hospital. "It was such a disaster when after the meeting happened, Mr. Blake was hospitalized and went into a coma afterwards. I'm so sorry."
"Did Madame Michelle ever see Mr. Blake after he was admitted to the hospital?"
"She visited Mr. Blake in the hospital, I think it was her first and last visit, there was something about their last meeting at the charity event, and I think Madame Michelle started to dislike the owner of Golden Group from that day on." Anna smiled a little, then looked at the two men sitting opposite her in turn. "I never asked for details, unless Madame Michelle herself told me. My business is as her personal secretary, if she asks for something, then I have to prepare it."
"I heard that you worked with another company when you were with Madame Michelle?"
Anna looked thoughtful, before nodding. "That's true. And Madam Michelle knew about it too. So there was nothing to hide between us. Everything is transparent and a digital trail is available within Star Corporation."
Nicholas muttered, he couldn't miss this meeting to ask Anna as many questions as possible. "Do you know anything about Mrs. Michelle's personal wishes regarding the charity events she often does? Maybe she wants to save the children in the children's hospital?"
"A pediatric hospital?" asked Anna in confusion. "I thought Alpha Company focused on the children's education system rather than healthcare."
Nicholas and Noel looked at each other, realizing that they were stepping into a world where personal relationships, business dealings, and philanthropy were intertwined in an intricate dance. Anna's revelation about Mrs. Michelle's involvement with Wilson Blake and charity events added a new layer to an already complicated puzzle.
Nicholas leaned forward, his expression serious. "Tell me more about the charity event and Mrs. Michelle's personal desires. Does she have a particular cause close to her heart?"
Anna thought for a moment, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "Madame Michelle is an enthusiastic supporter of educational initiatives, especially for underprivileged children. She believes that empowering the younger generation can be done through knowledge. The charity events she organizes are mainly focused on raising funds for educational programs, scholarships, and the construction of schools in underprivileged areas."
Noel interjected, "Was there a particular incident or event that sparked the passion for education in Mrs. Michelle?"
Anna's eyes sparkled with a mixture of admiration and sadness. "She never explicitly mentioned the trigger, but I believe it started with her own struggles and her belief that education could be a powerful tool for change. Madame Michelle came from a humble family, and she often spoke of the challenges she faced in her early years. The business she built started from scratch, everything is a process and Mrs. Michelle wants children to know about the importance of struggle and sacrifice."
Nicholas senses a connection forming between Madame Michelle's past and her current actions. "So, this charity event is not just about public relations for Alpha Company?"
CHAPTER 275 Nicholas drove the car as fast as he could. He cut through the streets knowing that Alicia was in danger and needed to be rescued immediately. At this moment, Nicholas deliberately did not turn on the siren in his car to avoid things that threatened Alicia. Arriving at Alicia's house, Nicholas could see a suspicious car near Rick and his mother's house. Nicholas' eyebrows furrowed and he slowed down the car. While looking around, Nicholas tried to think of a plan. Until finally, Nicholas stopped his car right behind the suspicious car. Nicholas got out of the car, but his gaze remained wary. He took out his gun and pointed it downwards as he walked into Alicia's yard. He realized that Alicia's door was unlocked even though the lights were off. Just as Nicholas entered Alicia's house, a punch landed from behind. But Nicholas was strong enough to withstand it, so the man immediately turned around and pointed the gun at Ace. But Ace was also ready to shoot Nicholas in the
CHAPTER 274Nicholas observed the change in Selena's expression from a different room. She stood up and hugged herself while frowning."She keeps bringing up Glen. It's starting to worry me," Nicholas muttered.While on the other side, Noel began to open the folder given by Nicholas. There were several sheets of paper inside. They were reports done by Peter and that surprised Noel. He peered into the folder."I didn't know Nicholas would give me this much work." Noel's complaint was heard by Nicholas in a different room, but Nicholas ignored it and chose to focus on Selena. Noel looked at Selena then smiled and put the papers on the table. "I don't want to read all the writing on this paper. So, what can you give me to get me to get you out of prison?""I... I didn't kill anyone."Noel waved her hands in the air, she seemed to look down on the opponent. "That's a very standard thing. Do you have any evidence? Everyone in that base camp is dead, none of them can give you testimony. So
CHAPTER 273Glen looked up, he hadn't finished his fries yet. "Are you leaving now, Uncle? Are you going to see my mom?"Nicholas mumbled for a while, before finally nodding his head. "I'm going to take care of some work and meet with your mother. Is there anything you want to say to her?"Glen's face grew more enthusiastic as he finished the fries in his mouth and looked thoughtful. He looked around before finally seeing Nicholas again. Raising his index finger in the air, Glen said, "I want you to tell my mom that I miss her a lot. I want some chocolate candy from Uncle Chuck's shop! They have the best chocolate in town and I want to try it."Now, it was Nicholas' turn to raise his eyebrows enthusiastically. "Do you know Uncle Chuck's?""My friends in class talk about it, but I don't know. I just heard about it and wanted to try the chocolate candies they have."Nicholas nodded his head. He smiled widely and rubbed the top of Glen's head in relief. At least, the boy still had some e
CHAPTER 272Nicholas dropped Alicia off in front of Alpha Company's office, while he continued on his way to the daycare. He got out of his car, with a bag of fries from Mcd. Nicholas walked in and was met by Lim Sara.Lim Sara, who was working, greeted Nicholas politely. "Good morning, Detective. Have you come to pick up Glen?"A small mumble was heard from Nicholas. He finally explained the situation to Sara. "Um, well, the police still have to check a few things from Mrs. Selena. It may take some time, can Glen stay here a little longer?"Lim Sara looked worried. The woman with her beautiful hair coils mumbled, before nodding and replying, "Of course, Detective. But it seems like Glen is worried about his mother, he's asked about her several times and I can only say that she's at work." Sara turned around, then showed Glen who was sitting alone in the corner of the study room. "Because he stays here alone, without the other children, he thinks that his mother is angry.""Has Glen e
CHAPTER 271Alicia leaned on Nicholas' shoulder, she let the blanket cover their bodies on the sofa. After a night of sleeping together, Alicia woke up first. She took a deep breath and woke Nicholas up."Nick?"While shaking Nicholas' hand, Alicia tried to get her lover to wake up. And after a while, Nicholas did wake up."Um, good morning, Alicia." Nicholas adjusted his sitting position, he then blinked his eyes and began to speak. "How did you sleep last night?"Alicia mumbled. Letting go of the blanket covering her body, she hugged herself. "I got a good sleep because of you. But can't you just relax like this? You said you were going to check on Selena again today?""Yes, there will be a cross-examination. Noel will try to provoke her with psychological techniques," Nicholas said. He looked ahead, then moistened his dry lips. "I wonder to what extent Selena knows information about Ace. If Selena can tell the police about the steps Ace is taking, it would be great for all of us."
CHAPTER 270Nicholas put on an apron, before grabbing a cutting board and knife. He took out the onions, garlic and chili peppers. Skillfully, Nicholas began to chop the ingredients into small pieces, and then he heated the oil in the wok. He prepared to put in all the ingredients, and after the smell of onions was there, Nicholas put in the minced meat that he took from the refrigerator. His big hands started moving here and there quickly. He was like a professional chef. Sautéing, putting in spices and making everything better.Besides cooking the meat, Nicholas also prepared two loaves of bread on a plate. He placed the meat onto the bread, then garnished it with lettuce, tomato and some sauce on top.Nicholas patted his palms when he was done. He took off the apron, put it back on the table and started to prepare the two plates of food for the dining table. It was raining outside, and Alicia was still covering herself with a blanket on the sofa.It looked like Alicia was completel