Chapter 453 - Harsh Truth
Even though Nico doubted the Kelly family, he had no proof. So he asked what Leon's men did to her that changed her so drastically.
The girl who had sweetness and happiness for everyone might have the serene face with the most beautiful, kind, and understanding smile but she was cold and ruthless to the bones. She might have weakness but she knew to stand against it when the time comes.
"What did they do to you?" Nico seriously asked, with genuine concern. How he wished he could slaughter Leon.
However, Aarvi didn't say anything further, "Captain Burton, do I look like they did something to me?"
Nico tried to reason but he couldn't. Looking at her unyielding and confident gaze, he knew that's where she wanted to end. She just told him a reason and the occurrence why she had tried to reach him. Nothing more, nothing less.
Melting and convincing Ava Kelly was easier but not the woman who was standing in front of him. So he had no choice but to give up. He finally was ready to give up on digging up about her.
When Nico was lost in thoughts, Aaron asked, grabbing her attention, "Did you try to meet that old lady who helped you at the police station?" She had helped his Cupcake so he felt the need to show his gratitude.
Aarvi nodded in acknowledgment, pursing her lips. "That day, she had given me a whole month of salary. When she went home, her alcoholic husband and spoiled son had thrown her out of the house to get back the money." Aarvi could only blame herself for it.
She continued about how she found and how she repaid the favor, "It was difficult but we found her living alone in a shantytown. I had offered to bring her with me but looking at me and the car, she turned me down. So I bought her a house and now his son and husband beg her to take them in."
Looking at her sly smile, Aaron was sure she must have appointed somebody for the old lady to look after her and to make those two men suffer.
Aarvi continued about the other one who had helped her, "The girl who helped me at the bus station, she is working as one of Leon Harmon's secretaries." But the girl was working for Aarvi without knowing Aarvi's past or present name.
'Leon Harmon.' Nico frowned and asked demandingly, "Why did you guys let off Leon? Shouldn't you send him behind the bars?"
Aarvi speechlessly looked at Nico. She really wanted to laugh at him. Anyhow, It's natural he thinks everyone is the same under the law as he was in the military.
Aarvi nodded at Aaron before she went inside the private office leaving the two men outside.
Nico asked his doubt, "Brother Aaron, that day the bomb explosion was fake to search Ava. Wasn't it?" Even though he asked to confirm, there was certainty in his tone.
Aaron's eyes turned cold when he gazed at Nico. He could guess his Cupcake had spoken to Nico a few times enough for Nico to treat her genuinely well. So he discerned Nico wasn't digging up about Aarvi because of Vance but for himself.
"Aarvi Evans." Aaron corrected him. He didn't want Nico to repeat as Ava and spoil his Cupcake's mood more.
Nico got the response to his question. The deep lines appeared on his forehead thinking how Aaron had played the military in the city with a fake terrorism case. However, those lines smoothened when Aarvi exited her private office.
He understood the difference between him and the Rivas brothers. He stands by ethical, and principled people disregarding the person and the relation. He started hating Vance Hays after knowing his truth.
Whereas Aaron would do anything to keep his love safe. Shawn and Dax didn't only stay by Aarvi's side when she was an innocent girl, they remained with her even when she was tricking and scheming.
He understood the real meaning of friendship.
So did Aaron do a crime by manipulating the military?
If he had followed the rules, would he have got Ava Kelly aka Aarvi Evans safe?
Ava had tried to follow the rules, what did she get in return?
His train of thoughts broke when Aarvi slapped a fresh set of printouts on the table. "I dare you to punish the culprit of these cases. Then I will follow your laws and regulations." She sounded confident Nico won't be able to solve it.
Her challenge itself had the answer to the cases. There were no culprits but a culprit for all the cases. Nico deduced it to Leon. He grabbed the papers to look through them so that Aarvi and Aaron could punish Leon Harmon.
Aarvi's eyes caught the customers entering inside. She went to serve them ignoring the fact that the customers were more interested in Aaron and also Nico.
Nico was shocked to see they weren't local complaint reports but unsolved cases of the military. 'How did she get them?' He thought as he checked fifteen sets and Leon was behind all of them.
Aarvi spoke after he checked each one of the case papers, "Captain Burton, military or the police, you need evidence. Solid evidence which couldn't be refuted in any way." She stated the fact. Then she sniggered at the reality, "Else the case gets closed or gets new dates for another hearing."
Nico became silent. Whatever she said was the truth but he didn't like how Leon was living his life. Then he recalled she avenged Vance.
Is Ava behind Grace Wells state?
Will she teach Leon a lesson?
"I want to help you." He blurted out. This time, he was ready to cross the line of laws. Doing something wrong to put something right, felt worthy.
Aarvi who was puffing her cheeks, making cute faces at Aaron paused. She lifted her brows at Aaron who half shrugged his shoulders. Both knew Nico wasn't the type to do any act that would be called inappropriate under the law. Upon that military families are very sensitive about their actions.
Nico Burton practically signed himself to act unethically which was surprising for both Aarvi and Aaron.
Anyway, Aarvi had no plans to include him and put his family reputation at stake. Leon would exactly use that to make her feel guilty so she knew to step up carefully.
Turning to face Nico, Aarvi's lips enticingly arced up but it was cunning, "Captain Burton, you won't be able to help me hide a dead body. Why don't you just do your job?" Her voice clearly conveyed that she found his words humorous.
Nico: "..."
She clearly meant, she might go to any extent. He just saw Vance getting beaten up. It was just the cherry on the cake, but the soft flawless cream on the cake was hiding the actuality.
Aaron admired his daring woman who knew to have her way in leaving anybody speechless. Nico had no words to speak or accept it openly even if he wanted.
Well, Nico really didn't expect Aarvi to be so malicious and straightforward while speaking of killing someone. Still, she had the same beautiful unwavering smile while her eyes spoke the rest.
He perceived some harsh truth from Ava aka Aarvi's life.
A cheerful person might not be living a happy and vivid life. The serene-looking person might not be free from struggles.