The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye) novel Chapter 23

15 minutes later. Thomas came to Nathan. With a thick folder and a brief report, as the boss used to demand.

"...so Katherine had a car accident five years ago. It is said to be very serious. Her family took her somewhere for treatment and came back more than a year later."

"Five years ago?"

Nathan couldn't miss this message. He reviewed the report.

On the other side, Thomas nodded in disbelieve. It could no be a coincidence.

"Five years ago, when?"

"March 18th."

Even the Thomas was merely repeating what was printed on the paper, Nathan still couldn't believe it.

"March 18th? Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. You know the Americans, they keep health records honestly."

Thomas was a little surprised by Nathan's behavior. Nathan had used to be calm.

Nathan suddenly burst into laughter, which creeped out Thomas. But soon, Thomas found out true happiness mixed with bitterness in this weird laughter.

"Sir, are you alright?" Thomas leaned forward, concerned.

"Never better. Now step back. Don't come close, you idiot!" Nathan angrily rolled his eyes while halting Thomas from invading his comfort zone. "...I need you back to the investigation. She left the US, to which country? With whose companion? Which doctor treated her? I need details."

Nathan's words hurt Thomas's feelings, but he quickly remembered it.

"Yes, Sir."

Thomas took three steps backward with respect, then turned around dramatically and ran off.

Nathan, who could no longer hold back his anxiety, quickly jumped up and put on his couple-thousand-dollar-worth causal wear.

He had to find Mango, even if she might refuse to admit it, he still wanted to see her. For nothing else, just for the slightest familiarity from her eyes, for the possibility and hope.

March 18th.

The day his wife died in that fire.

So many coincidences that didn't add up. The answer to the only possibility was hidden under the stranger's new look of Katherine's.

If five years ago, Mango took Katherine's identity, she could come to Ocean City as a new person.

That explained everything.