Chapter 12

Investigation-1

Peyton and Julian sat down onto the bench. She showed him the jade cupid and blossoming Lilies. "Aren't they beautiful, Julian?"

Julian gazed at the cupid. It was so strange. But he couldn't find out why. The statue made him uncomfortable.

"Yeah. But it looks so weird."

"It's really beautiful. I like the statue. Uncle Dan made it. It's more beautiful in the dawn. When you have time, come here early, I'll show you." Peyton's voice sounded enthusiast.

"What happened last night?" Julian asked.

She shivered when remembering the accident. "Julian. I'm scared, really scared."

He gently hugged her. He felt her body quivered in his arms. "It's ok now. I'll protect you. Nobody can hurt you anymore."

She felt secure and regained her courage. "Thank you. You are my guardian angel. Without you, I don't know what to do…By the way Helene told me about Glenda Farrell" Peyton told Julian all of Helene's story and the accident. "Do you think both of those cases are related to each other?" Peyton asked.

"I don't know. But, we have to analyze these cases separately. First, in your Dad's case, I'm going to list all of suspects: James Scott, Dan Scott, Rachel, Haley, Lucas, Brooke..."

"No Julian, it's very cruel. Why would they kill their own father - especially Lucas? He got nothing from daddy's death. How could he put the medicine bottles into daddy's room since he just came back home for his funeral and after the bottles were found?"

"You should keep your mind clear and fair when you investigate and analyze any evidence. Remember what you studied in your classes. Everyone in your house could help him do that and cover his crime. He didn't need to do that by himself. On the night your father died; he was waiting for Lucas, right?" Julian looked at Peyton.

Peyton sighed "How do you know?"

"How could I know? It's very easy to find out the truth. Mr. Scott needn't wait for Rachel or Haley since he met them every day. He didn't meet his clients either because that time was inconvenient for discussion of business. And whom Mr. Dean wanted to protect beside Keith? Only Mr. Scott's children. Maybe Lucas killed him accidentally."

Peyton kept quiet. Julian glanced at her and continued his hypothesis, "All of them could access to the company and your house easily. In the Glenda Farrell's case, there are two suppositions. One, she was killed by her lover or someone related to Mr. and Mrs. Milano's death. Another, she killed herself because her lover refused to marry her. But since her room was thoroughly searched, the first hypothesis is more suitable than the second one. But who's her secret lover?"

"Do you think that the Milanos' daughter is related to these crimes?" Peyton asked.

"Maybe. So we have to find her as soon as possible."

"How about Lindsay's brother? I wondered whether he still wants revenge for his sister. But there is no way for him to access our house. So we can cross his name out of the suspect's list until we have new evidence." Peyton supplemented his hypothesis with her ideas.

"Tomorrow, I'll search for news of the Milanos' daughter at orphanages. Do you want to go with me, Julian?" Peyton asked.

"Of course, I'll go with you. I don't want you to go anywhere alone. The patrols are searching the driver who caused your accident last night. I don't know whether he did it on purpose or not."


The company's meeting was fully stretched when Dan Scott suggested the company's executives to check all of the departments since its profits in 2010 decreased to one third. All of members were waiting for Peyton's decision. She shyly looked at Rachel who was vice president of the S & P Company.

"Peyton, you are the chairman, you should give your opinion and your decision." Rachel whispered.

"But I really don't know anything, help me please!" Peyton murmured.

"I believe in you, honey." Rachel encouraged her.

Peyton bit her lip, "I think Mr. Scott's suggestion is a good idea. I authorize Miss Haley Scott to form and lead the investigation group. Any result and problem will be reported to Mr. Sean Pean or Miss Rachel Scott. Do you have any suggestion?"

Peyton waited for a few moments. "If not, our meeting disperses." She looked at Rachel, "Rach, did I do all right?"

Rachel smiled, "Of course, you did very well, Peyt."


Peyton looked at the files on her table, suddenly her office door opened. She heard Helene's voice "Sorry, Mr. Scott, can you wait outside unti…"

Mr. James Scott pushed Helene aside and stormed into her office room.

"Peyton…"

"What's wrong Uncle James?"

"Do you know what you've done in the meeting?" He shouted.

"Yes, I do. Let me know what's wrong?" Peyton softly asked.

"How dare you want to form an investigation group to check on your uncle!" He scolded.

"Why did you not give your opinion in the meeting? All of executive members agreed with my decision. But it wasn't my idea. It was Uncle Dan's. This is a business problem, not our family problem. Therefore, I think we should put our company's profit in first line." She gently explained. "Don't be very sensitive, Uncle James. We just want to check which department is weak and what the departments need to improve their work in the future."

"Since that son of a bitch save your life, you voluntarily do whatever he wants, right Peyton?"

Peyton was stunned and could not answer. 'Why did he curse Uncle Dan like that? Aren't they supposed to be brothers?'

"I guess I'm right then" he said when she didn't speak. "I warn you that bastard is not dependable. He'll harm you later."

"Did you call Uncle Dan'son of…?" Peyton was still surprised.

"Of course, what do you expect me to call that illegal son? An angel, my beloved brother maybe?" He was angry.

"I don't know what you are talking about. But I don't feel well right now. Can you leave?" Peyton asked, as he stomped out in fury.

'What on Earth was that about?' she thought.


Thank Emma so much...xoxo...