Chapter 39
Asher really didn’t want to waste much time solving the puzzle of who the man was that had impregnated Nicole. In the evening, after work hours, the Arab descendant decided to visit the apartment where Alden had been living.
Hearing from Alden that he had caught Nicole entering the apartment with another man twice made Asher curious. Even though the man Alden saw might not necessarily be the one who impregnated her, Asher still wanted to check and make sure. Who knows, after confirming it himself, he might get clues to stop the cunning game Nicole was playing.
At exactly six o’clock in the evening, Asher’s sleek black Rubicon, which he often drove, was neatly parked in the BVLGARI apartment parking lot. Accompanied by Alden, he went straight to the security room to request access to the CCTV footage to check Nicole’s movements recently.
Initially, the apartment security didn’t grant permission. However, after giving a reasonable explanation and persistently trying to convince them, Asher and Alden were finally given access to view the footage.
“Please rewind the CCTV to Thursday, July 13th. At six o’clock in the evening, around the lobby area to the elevator,” Alden instructed. Then, the apartment security immediately searched for the requested recording by setting the appropriate date and time. Afterward, Alden and Asher carefully observed the footage.
From the CCTV recording, the apartment residents were bustling around. After a while, Asher’s eyes caught sight of someone he believed to be Nicole. At that moment, his cousin was seen casually walking into the apartment with a formally dressed man, and Asher knew for sure that it wasn’t Alex.
“There she is!” exclaimed Asher, pointing at the screen, then turning back to the officer. “Sir, please open the corridor CCTV.”
Then Asher turned to Alden. “You know Nicole’s room number, right?”
“Yes,” Alden nodded. “Luckily, she lives on the same floor as me. Just in a different position. Nicole lives to the right, and I’ve also confirmed with the building reception that she’s in room 705.”
Asher then turned back to the security officer, requesting them to show CCTV footage from different locations.
“Please look at the corridor CCTV on the seventh floor, Sir. Around room 705.”
The officer complied with Asher’s request, showing the recording from the same time, where Nicole was seen walking with the man and then entering her apartment unit.
“Now, I request to see the recording on July 31st around seven in the morning. Just the footage from the front of her room.”
The officer searched for what Asher asked for, playing the recording according to the date and location. Asher and Alden found what they were looking for.
“The same man,” muttered Asher as his brown eyes caught sight of a tall, well-built man leaving Nicole’s room in neatly dressed attire. Nicole, in more casual but neat attire, followed him towards the elevator.
“Sir, one last request,” Asher expressed afterward. “Please show the corridor and front of room 705 CCTV footage on July 14th around six to eight in the morning. There’s something I need to confirm.”
The officer nodded, searching for the footage Asher requested. After obtaining it, they immediately showed it to Asher and Alden.
“Here it is, Sir. The requested recording.”
Asher then narrowed his eyes, carefully observing what he needed to confirm. Waiting second by second until finally, his pupils dilated as the figure he was looking for emerged from the room.
“BINGO!”
Asher snapped his fingers and chuckled. He patted the officer’s shoulder lightly, then gave an order.
“I request copies of all the footage I just saw, Sir. I need them for future examination purposes.”
The officer then copied the recordings and handed them to Asher. After that, the two specialist doctors went to the apartment lobby to relax for a moment.
“How did it go?” Alden asked, wanting to make sure if Asher got what he needed. But, judging by the relaxed expression on his face, Alden believed that Asher had obtained what he needed to smooth his action.
“Thank you so much for your help, Alden,” Asher smiled broadly. His expression was like that of a lottery winner. Alden remembered earlier at the hospital this afternoon, his companion seemed troubled. And now? It’s a complete 180-degree change.
“Did you get what you needed?”
Asher nodded. The man’s smile widened.
“I’m sure this guy is the one who impregnated Nicole.”
“Because he was proven to enter and exit Nicole’s apartment twice?”
“That’s one reason. And somehow, I’m sure this guy didn’t just stop by once or twice. Judging by his activities, especially coming home in the morning, it’s certain that this guy stayed over. Maybe several times. Besides, it’s not possible for a man and woman, both adults, to share an apartment. Stay over. But do nothing.”
Alden smiled faintly. It made sense with all the arguments Asher provided. Especially seeing Nicole’s mischievous appearance, Alden believed that she was indeed free and daring.
“I agree, though. But, with just CCTV footage as evidence, you can’t simply tell everyone that the man who impregnated Nicole is the one we saw earlier. There needs to be other evidence to support it.”
“I know,” Asher said, pulling the corner of his lips into a smile. He understood perfectly what he needed to do. It wasn’t the first time Asher had been involved in a complicated case. “I’ll investigate this man’s background first. I’ll make sure that soon, I’ll have the answers I need. Everything just waits for the right time.”
“I also hope everything gets resolved quickly,” Alden replied, looking concerned. Sincerely from the heart, he felt sorry for Aurora having to go through unpleasant experiences in her marriage.
It must feel painful to think that the person you love is faithful. But, out there, they’re fooling around with another woman, especially when this woman is still her cousin.
“Aurora deserves to be happy, Ash.”
“From the beginning, I’ve warned her. But, Aurora just doesn’t believe and is too naive to be swayed by Alex’s sweet words. Now, even if she regrets it, it’s pointless. There’s nothing Aurora can do except to quickly file for divorce.”
Alden nodded in agreement.
“I just hope for the best for this issue.”
“If Aurora officially divorces, you can freely pursue her again. Compared to Alex, I’d rather see her marry you.”
Alden just smiled. Did this mean Asher had given him the green light to approach Aurora again in the future?
***