Two Hundred and twenty two

CHAPTER 222

"Is there anything I can do to improve your mood, ma'am?"

But Angela wasn't in the mood to talk, so she took a deep breath and started to speak. "I'm not in the mood to talk about it. I'm in a really bad mood!" Holding out a piece of paper, she said to her personal driver. "Go to that address right now. I need to find the owner of the boutique before he leaves. He is my only hope of finding Ace."

The man sitting behind the wheel accepted the paper and nodded obediently. "Yes, ma'am."

And with full courage, the man who had worked for Angela for a long time immediately went to the address written there. He knew Mrs. Vashylchenko was in a bad mood and the work had to be really good to make her boss happy.

The happier Angela was, the more money the personal driver would receive.

Arriving at the boutique, Angela found it closed. Their doors were shut tight and the lights in the store were not on. While scanning the surroundings, Angela also adjusted her glasses.

"Why is this store closed? Are they taking today off?"

A voice behind Angela made her turn her head. "Are you a customer at this boutique store, ma'am?"

Angela mumbled for a long time, considering whether she should lie or not. And finally, she chose to lie. Angela nodded without saying anything.

And the man with the backpack on his back said, "I saw the shop owner leave last night, he was carrying a suitcase, probably leaving in the next few days or weeks. Do you have his phone number? You should call and make a reservation before ordering clothes."

The man then left after giving the information.

Meanwhile, Angela clenched her hands together angrily. She looked at the boutique shop before her and muttered, "Where did the owner of this boutique shop go? Where did Ace go?"

After a while, Angela finally decided to return to the car. Her personal driver, Jhon, immediately asked, "You don't look happy."

"The owner of the boutique shop left."

"Now, where are we going?"

"We're going to Uncle Chuck's shop. Let's check whether Alicia is there or not." Angela adjusted her new black glasses and continued, "I could lose hundreds of dollars if I lose Ace and the Wilson estate."

John then cleared his throat. "I forgot to tell you something, ma'am," he said, taking out his cell phone and showing a screen displaying an article on a well-known New York news site. "Mr. Blake is reportedly conscious, but still requires special care at the hospital."

Without a word, Angela grabbed John's phone and he began to read the article intently. Angela took off her glasses and John could see how Angela's eyes widened in shock. "Damn it. Why didn't that rotten man die and come back to life?!"

John could only listen without commenting much. Angela then returned the phone to John.

She shouted, "Ah! Why are all my plans going to fail like this?!"

There was silence for a few moments, before Angela finally made up her mind in a fit of rage. "We're going to Uncle Chuck's now. We have to see Alicia first."

Unbeknownst to Angela, Alicia had already resigned and was no longer working at the ice cream parlor. John who knew nothing could only nod obediently and start the engine of his car. He used the maps, then moved towards Uncle Chuck's ice cream parlor which was always crowded with visitors.

The car sped through the city streets, Angela lost in a maelstrom of frustration and anger. The revelation about Mr. Blake's condition adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation. As they approach Uncle Chuck's ice cream parlor, Angela can't shake the feeling that the threads of the plan she has carefully woven are beginning to unravel.

Entering the ice cream parlor, Angela scanned the crowded room for Alicia. Ignoring the ongoing queue, Angela jumped the queue and asked Ethan who was now standing in front of the counter.

"Is Alicia here? I need to talk to her right away."

Uncle Chuck's carefree expression faltered. "Oh, Alicia left her job a few days ago. She said something about a personal problem and needed some time off."

Angela's frustration peaked. "Damn it. Do you know where she is now?"

Ethan gave Angela a confused look. That woman was too much. She had jumped the queue and made Ethan feel like he was being scolded. The young man bit his lip, "I... I can't tell you."

"What did you say?!" Angela banged on the table, her loud voice attracting the attention of the people in the shop.

The heated atmosphere brought Uncle Chuck out of the kitchen and he rushed over to Ethan. "What's wrong? Why are you making a scene in my shop?"

Angela crossed her arms over her chest, she raised her face arrogantly. "I'm looking for Alicia."

"Ah, you're that woman from last time! You made a scene back then too!" Uncle Chuck's expression, which was relaxed before, now turned angry. He turned around to exit the order counter and cashier, so that he could approach Angela. "You'd better leave now! My shop doesn't accept rude customers like you!"

"What? Don't touch me!" Angela tried to hold herself back as Uncle Chuck started to push.

Angela, faced with Uncle Chuck's anger, felt a wave of frustration and helplessness. The shoppers watched the scene, their curiosity evident in whispers. Ethan, caught between his loyalty to Alicia and the escalating confrontation, searches for a solution.

Uncle Chuck's stern expression intensified as he said to Angela, "I will not tolerate a disturbance in my store. If you're looking for Alicia, you won't find her here. Now leave before I take further action."

"How dare you!" Angela challenged back.

But Uncle Chuck raised his voice and said, "This is my shop and you have to follow my rules. Now you must leave! Go out now or I’ll call the police!"