Chapter 412 A Secret Forever
Having never met the private detective before, the nanny did not invite him in but instead said, "Dovie has gone to the hospital."
The private detective asked, "Which hospital?"
"What is it you need to see Dovie about? Come on in and have a seat," said Natalie. She recognized the private detective and instantly realized that Dovie must have secretly hired him to find her biological daughter.
The private detective stood outside the door. "Since Dovie isn't home, I won't come in. Could you please tell me which hospital she is in?"
"What's the hurry? Come in and have a seat. Whatever you need to discuss with Dovie, you can tell me instead." Of course, Natalie wasn't going to let the private detective see Dovie.
She asked the nanny to make some coffee, sent her away, and then walked toward the private detective. "I know what Dovie asked you to investigate. Come into the study room, and let's talk. I'll double whatever my sister is paying you."
Being a private detective, he was naturally smart enough to know what Natalie was implying.
A few minutes later, Natalie and the private detective arrived at the study room.
Natalie cut to the chase and asked directly, "Did you find out?"
The private detective hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Natalie smiled. "So, who's my sister's daughter? Where is she now? We're alone, so go ahead, say whatever you want."
The private detective wasn't foolish enough to be so quickly convinced. "Dovie entrusted me with this. You know, there are rules in this line of work. Sorry, but I only answer to my clients."
Natalie smiled but didn't say a word. She turned around, walked to the study room's safe, opened it, and took out 20,000 dollars.
"This should be enough to, let's just say, alter your so-called rules," Natalie said. "I'm sure they're more like a guideline anyway, right? It's not like they can't be just slightly bent. I know your line of work. You people make money by selling information. So, here's the deal. Take this 20 grand, and keep whatever you've found a secret, forever."
The private detective looked at the thick stack of cash. He had to admit he was tempted. After all, no one could resist money; it was only a matter of how much.
However, Natalie's generosity made the private detective immediately realize that the information he had found was worth much more than a mere 20,000 dollars.
"So, I assume you don't want Dovie's daughter to return?" The private detective said, "In that case, given the gravity of this matter, 20 grand won't do."
Natalie wasn't angered by his greed at all and was even slightly glad. Since the private detective wanted more, it meant there was room for negotiation.
Natalie didn't beat around the bush, either. "Alright, name your price."
The private detective rubbed his fingers, carefully pondering how much to ask for.
The Parks Family was one of the wealthiest families in New York, and the Parks Corporation was worth tens of billions. This information involved an heiress of the Parks Corporation, so it was certainly very valuable.
After some internal struggle, the private detective finally made up his mind and said, "One million. Pay me one million, and I will never leak the information I found."
Natalie sneered. "That's too much."
"The heiress of the Parks Corporation is worth at least that." the private detective laughed. "Oh, and about the Abbott Family..."
Hearing 'Abbott Family,' Natalie's expression instantly changed. It was at this moment that she became certain the private detective had indeed found out the truth.
"Alright, one million," Natalie said. "I want you to forget about this matter from now on. Otherwise, you'll come to realize that crossing me will cost you way more than a million dollars."
"Don't worry. People in our line of work understand the rules of the game very well." The private detective laughed. "I want cash up front, and you need to write an agreement stating that the money is a voluntary gift. Otherwise, you might accuse me of extortion and send me to the police. Wouldn't want to end up never having the chance to spend this money. And, of course, if something happens to me, the truth about the Parks Family's real heiress will be exposed."
Natalie indeed had the intention of sending the private detective to the police to shut him up for good. However, surprisingly, he was more intelligent than she had thought.
Natalie's face darkened. "Alright."
After dealing with the private detective, Natalie hurried to the hospital—she needed to confirm Dovie's condition. As long as Dovie was alive, she had to stay by her side to ensure she never found out the truth.
Meanwhile, at the Abbott Family's old house, Linda went to the identification center in the morning to pick up the paternity test report and deliver it to Ophelia.
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