Unfortunately, the time of peace in Rayway was very short. There should still be a few days left. However, Hector said that he had an important guest arriving, so he had to return that day. Actually, Estelle knew too because that man answered the phone when he was in her room.
After realizing her time was limited, Estelle asked Mr. Wright to re-examine the case file. Ensuring that no information is missed or that there is no misinformation within it. The two of them sat in the living room while drinking tea, while Hector chose to sit in an armchair with a cup of coffee in his hand. The man remained silent, occasionally glancing at Estelle.
"Yes, everything written in this document is valid information."
Mr. Wright handed Estelle's phone back. Estelle received his phone quickly.
"It's just that the section describing the decision's details is incomplete."
Estelle focused her attention back on Mr. Wright. "Could you tell me what's missing?"
Mr. Wright's wrinkled hand rested against his chin. The old man thought for a moment before continuing to give Estelle information.
"The case was closed with a perfect scapegoat. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen's driver is accused of being the sole perpetrator, with a motive of personal revenge. Since the driver had also passed away, the case was simply closed."
For some reason, before continuing his sentence, Mr. Wright glanced at Hector.
"But we all know that the driver was also a victim."
For a brief moment, she dug back into her memories to find the driver. His name is Wilson, a man in his mid-thirties who was previously an employee at his father's workplace.
But Estelle knew all too well that Wilson was not that sort of man. The man worked sincerely because he had to support his three young children. Crashing a car that he obviously knew would kill him in the process and kill his own employer is not a reasonable thing to do. Moreover, he has a wife and children to support.
That action would not only kill him but also kill his entire family. If he dies, his wife's and children's lives will also become very difficult. Moreover, Estelle also heard that Wilson's wife was blind. Who knows what happened to her children after that.
What is certain is that Wilson was not the mastermind of that unfortunate incident.
"Our driver isn't that kind of person," Estelle whispered.
Mr. Wright nodded in understanding. "Yes, we knew that. Even the evidence supporting that opinion is minimal. But our superiors insisted and said that the perpetrator had been identified and the case must be closed immediately. It was an anomaly."
Frowning, Estelle sensed a manipulation in the closing of this case. Turning, she looked at Hector, who was still calmly enjoying his coffee.
Even Hector can't find the perpetrator. Then the perpetrator mustn't be an ordinary person. No, the perpetrator is someone they can still reach. However, the mastermind behind all these incidents is no ordinary person.
"Is there anyone who can pressure you?"
Hector focused on his girl. "Yes."
"Who?"
Pausing for a moment, Hector put down his coffee cup and smiled. "Have you realized that I'm not the perpetrator?"
"Be quiet and just answer my question," Estelle replied, annoyed.
"If you want an honest answer, then I will answer the country's elites and also the politicians."
It's no surprise that Hector's independent investigation was unsuccessful. But the problem is, how could his parents get involved with people like them? Why do the elites and politicians want his parents to die?
"The final scenario I can conclude is that your driver was indeed involved, but he was forced or threatened," Hector revealed before taking another sip of his coffee.
"Is that the result of a valid source?"
Of course. I will not conclude anything without a reliable source.
"Hector is right. Most likely, that's how the scenario goes."
Estelle thought for a moment. Assume that is indeed the truth. One mystery solved. The problem is, the main factor of his parents' death remains an unsolved mystery. Estelle still doesn't understand why her parents were "hunted" by those people.
"You can continue the conversation with Mr. Wright via phone call. It's getting late, we have to go back soon.
Mr. Wright looked at Hector in surprise. "Didn't you say you were going to spend a few days on vacation here?"
Hector shook his head. "There's something I have to finish, maybe another time."
Instantly, Mr. Wright nodded in understanding. While Estelle could only comply and began packing her belongings. Honestly, that girl still wanted to be at Mr. Wright's house. Especially seeing Hector showing respect to Mr. Wright, the man didn't show his crazy side at all. And that made Estelle's life happier.
Unfortunately, he had to return immediately. And for some reason, Estelle had a bad feeling that Hector would retaliate for the madness he had suppressed for two days.
***
During the journey, neither of them took the initiative to start a conversation. Estelle was busy with the view outside the window, while Hector was busy driving the car.
In her mind, Estelle wondered why Mr. Wright knew that she wasn't willingly accompanying Hector. The instincts of a former police officer should not be underestimated. Even without mentioning the issue, Mr. Wright could read it from the gestures and interactions between himself and Hector.
The problem is, Hector is now proven innocent in that case. The man will undoubtedly seek compensation for her carelessness in attempting to poison Hector when they first met.
"Sorry," Estelle said weakly.
Hector, who was silent at first, immediately turned his head. The man's lips immediately lifted to one side, as if mocking a word that came out of his girl's mouth.
"So, now you admit that I am completely innocent?"
Biting her lower lip, Estelle couldn't speak. The man will surely bring up all the mistakes she has made.
"Since we've already come this far, it's better to continue the independent investigation."
Hearing all that, the girl turned and stared in disbelief. Did she mishear? Hector did not bring up the attempted murder; instead, the man presented the most logical solution in this situation.
No. Hector returning to normal is not something to celebrate.
It all seemed too strange. From his changed quiet demeanor and logical comments about this investigation... it all feels strange.
Speechless, Estelle was too hesitant to answer.
The last time I went to the ex-driver's house, their family didn't want to meet me. Perhaps it would be different if you were the one who visited them."
"So, you even contacted Wilson's family?"
Of course. "Did you think I was joking when I said I was investigating it independently? I owe Mrs. Andersen a great deal, and I also want justice for her."
"I didn't expect you to be the type who could go that far without profit," Estelle sneered.
Hector chuckled after hearing the girl's taunt. The man didn't bother to turn and look at Estelle, who was still glaring fiercely.
"My business with your mother is different from my business with you. Of course, if it's with you, I'll use all of the methods that benefit me the most. For me, a debt of gratitude is not inherited."
Estelle's eyebrows furrowed sharply. Indirectly, Hector implied that her dealings with him were not free of charge. It appears that the man was calculating his losses and demanding adequate compensation.
"Asshole!"
Hearing Estelle's curse, the man immediately chuckled. After that, there was no more conversation between the two of them. Both Sandra and Sandro had already gone home. That's why a few hours felt incredibly irritating because Estelle had to be in the same place as the man who made her heart burn. For her, it was suffocating.
Fortunately, there was an agenda that made Hector speed up his car, so the time they took to return was not as long as when they left for Rayway. And after their car arrived in front of Hector's residence, Estelle's chest felt lighter. After the car stopped, she immediately got out and walked quickly so she wouldn't have to walk alongside Hector.
However, when Estelle reached the living room, her body froze instantly as her two beautiful eyes met a figure she knew very well.
"Esse? Why are you here?"
Estelle's tongue was stuck, cold sweat trickled down her temples. What he saw was not an illusion. The one sitting on the sofa is Julius, the only close friend she has. And as Hector caught up with her, a bitter reality struck her sanity.
"Uncle Hector? Do you know each other?"
Instantly, Estelle's body trembled.
No... she must have misheard.
The girl immediately turned to Hector. But when a sly grin met her gaze, Estelle understood... she had fallen into Hector's trap.
***