Chapter 480 Little Detective Andy
"You two must be that bastard's kids!" Yaakov said.
Yaakov recognized them immediately. They were the ones he'd spotted near the kindergarten earlier today—two children who looked exactly like Ethan.
"You look like you're from Aivalia," Yaakov added.
"What does it matter where we look like we're from?" Andy replied. "Insulting people is wrong. Do you know Ashley?"
"Of course I know her. We were best friends! What are you two kids asking for anyway?"
Andy and Nate exchanged glances.
Nate's eyes said, 'Mommy's friend is our friend. Maybe we should tell him the truth?'
Andy's expression answered, 'Just because he claims they're friends doesn't make it true. Let's question him more.'
Nate nodded slightly. 'OK.'
"You say you're friends, but do you have any proof?" Andy challenged.
Yaakov scoffed. "What are you kids up to? Why should I prove anything to you?"
Nate made a face. "If you don't show proof, you're a liar. A grown man lying to children—aren't you ashamed?"
"You little..." Yaakov, flustered for the first time by children, angrily pulled out his phone. He scrolled to photos of himself with Ashley from their youth and thrust it in front of them. "See? Ashley and I knew each other since we were kids. Happy now? Not that you even know who Ashley is!"
The photo showed a boy and girl who appeared to be in middle school, their expressions innocent and fresh.
This convinced Andy and Nate completely.
"That Ethan—your father—is a real piece of work," Yaakov continued. "Back when he was with my friend, she gave him everything. Now she's gone, and what does he do? Marries someone else and has kids." He looked them over. "You two must be about five... he must have moved on immediately after they split!"
Andy and Nate exchanged another look before dragging small stools closer. "What happened, sir? Tell us the story."
"You're too young to understand."
"How will we know if you don't tell us?"
"Fine, I'll tell you... Once upon a time, Ethan and Ashley were married. They were so in love, but then..."
Yaakov spoke at length, describing how Ethan and Ashley met, fell in love, and later how Ashley died in an accident. After her death, Ethan cut all ties with the White family, disappearing without a word!
The White family was utterly disappointed with Ethan.
Over the years, everyone accepted that Ashley was dead, but the White family refused to believe it and continued searching for her.
Yaakov, drunk by now, was telling these children things he normally wouldn't. As he finished his story, he began to doze off.
Andy stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Andy thought, 'Mommy said she had history with Daddy, but never explained exactly what. I wonder if Yaakov is telling the truth.'
Nate whispered, "Andy, whose version is right?"
Andy declared, "No rush. I've watched plenty of detective shows. I'll investigate properly. There's only one truth!"
Yaakov looked about to pass out. The two children couldn't possibly move him, but fortunately, staff from the research facility arrived and spotted him.
"Sir, this man is drunk. Could you please take him home?" Andy asked politely.
"Sure thing."
As Yaakov was carried away, Nate was drawn to a nearby food stand. "'Andy, can we eat something before we go?"
Andy rolled his eyes. "You glutton. Hurry up—if we're gone too long, they'll notice we're missing."
"All right!"
They ordered some barbecue, paid, and waited for their food to be packaged to go.
While waiting, Nate said, "'Andy, I need to pee."
"Go quickly then, and don't wander off," Andy instructed.
There was a restroom nearby, and Nate ran toward it, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
Inside the restroom, Nate overheard two men talking from inside a stall.
"Asclepius, are the medications ready? We're quite pressed for time."
"They're ready. Give me the remaining payment, and I'll give you the medicine."
Asclepius?
Nate peeked out cautiously.
He saw two unfamiliar men—one holding money, the other holding medicine—making an exchange.
This was Asclepius?
Wasn't Yaakov supposed to be Asclepius?
His brother's research couldn't be wrong. This man claiming to be Asclepius must be an imposter.
Nate pulled up his pants and started singing loudly, "Monkeys and mice, so easy to confuse. Real or fake, you better look twice!"
His improvised lyrics seemed intended to warn the buyer, but neither adult paid any attention to him.
Being just a child, Nate knew he couldn't confront adults. He decided to find his brother and figure out what to do.
As Nate passed them and headed for the barbecue stand, a masked man approached him.
The stranger radiated malice. "Hey little guy, I've got some candy. Come here, I'll give you some."
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