Chapter 20 Aveline continued her investigation after leaving the cemetery , not having the time for sentimentality . She had intended to approach the people at her fathers company , but she received a call . It was from a person her father had supported in the past , a child from the mountainous areas , Mason Scott . His voice sounded slightly anxious , Miss Blackwood , I just returned to the country and heard about Mr. Blackwoods serious illness . How is he doing ? Thank you for your concern . My father is still in the hospital , receiving treatment . Ah , how could the heavens be so cruel to someone as good as Mr. Blackwood ? Back when he supported . us and brought us out of the mountains , we wouldnt have the life we do today without him . A thought crossed Avelines mind . If her father had started supporting impoverished mountain children many years ago , could it be possible that Layla Sterling , the woman who went missing , had crossed paths . with her father for this reason ? Do you know the students my father supported ? Aveline asked . Ive always been in touch with Mr. Blackwood on behalf of those students . I know most of them . However , when I went abroad for a few years , I lost contact with the students in the United States . If you need any help , financially or otherwise, Ill be willing to go through hell for you . Aveline seized the opportunity , I have a photo . Can you check if its someone my father once supported ? Sure , Miss Blackwood . Within half an hour , Mason sent her some information . The girl in the photo had bright eyes and white teeth , sharing a strong resemblance to the little girl in the gravestone , particularly her eyes , which were strikingly similar to Alexanders . This girl was named Delilah , hailing from a barren mountain area . Anthony had been supporting her since twelve years ago . She had been an outstanding student and had even received scholarship offers from several top domestic and international universities while still in high school . She chose to study in the United States . Perhaps she was the person Aveline was looking for . She quickly arranged to meet with Mason . In a coffee shop , Mason arrived punctually . Aveline had only met him once a decade ago , and he was still Chapter 20 an inexperienced young man at that time . Now , he had grown into the CEO of a publicly listed company , dressed in a suit , the picture of an elite . Even then though Blackwood family had faced bankruptcy , he respectfully addressed her , Miss Blackwood , sorry for making you wait . I just arrived . Lets not beat around the bush , Mason . Do you still have contact with Delilah ? Previously , I did . But when I went abroad and had fewer connections in the United States , we lost touch . Its been about two years since we last communicated . Do you know her current situation ? I just returned to the United States a few days ago . I found out about Mr. Blackwoods situation through tries . I didnt know Delilah that well . Mostly , I helped Mr. Blackwood contact her in the past . Mason took a sip of coffee and moistened his throat , But since it was Miss Blackwoods request , when I came here , I contacted her and my friends . Unfortunately , I received the news that she had passed away . Now , her grades are so good that she would have had a bright future . How did she die ? The exact cause of death is not clear . I heard that she was found in the sea . Aveline frowned . There were a few things that seemed suspicious . Layla was almost six years old when she disappeared . She should have a memory . Even though her father had supported her , why didnt she seek help ? Why didnt she go back to Sterlings house when she came to this city ? And what did her death have to do with her father? Was my father good to her ? Aveline asked tentatively . Delilah comes from a humble background . Her parents died when she was very young . She was admitted to this city alone . Blackwood has consistently looked out for her . It is said that she was bullied by her classmates in the dormitory because of her withdrawn personality . She rented a small apartment just to make her studies go smoothly . Mason sipped his coffee , Miss Blackwood , why are you so curious about Delilah ? I just want to find out the cause of her death , to bring justice for her . Chapter 201 Originally , Aveline had planned to divorce Alexander and secure a payout of ten million . With that , she could settle her affairs and leave this world . Now , she had an additional goal , to clear her fathers name and take revenge on the Blackwood family . Mason pondered for a moment , then handed her a business card , Miss Blackwood , this is a friend of mine , a renowned private investigator . If you want to find out anything , he can assist you . Thank you , Mason . Spare me the formalities , Miss Blackwood . After all , it was just a brief encounter with Delilah . I hope she finds peace in her death . I will be in the United States for a while , so feel free to contact me if you need . anything . I have another meeting shortly , so I wont take more of your time . Aveline contacted the private investigator Mason mentioned and provided the available information . When she returned to the hospital , the attending physician , Dr. Smith , called her into the office . Aveline had a sinking feeling . Smith , how is my fathers condition ? When will he wake up ? Miss Blackwood , you need to prepare yourself mentally . Although your fathers surgery was successful , his earlier head injury from the car accident has left some lingering effects . There are no signs of him waking up . Its possible … he may never wake up . Avelines heart plummeted , her hand trembling as she clutched a disposable cup . Smith , seeing her distress , sighed , Miss Blackwood , please dont be disheartened . Im just saying there is a possibility . If your father can wake up by the end of this month , he should recover without major issues . Tears welled in Avelines grayed eyes . Her voice choked with emotion , If he doesnt wake up , hell be in a vegetative state , wont he ? Thats right . So , I hope you can be prepared for whatever outcome and make plans accordingly . Smith understood that Aveline had been struggling financially , and putting the money into caring for a patient in a vegetative state might not be practical . With a determined look in her eyes , Aveline stood up and said firmly , No matter what the result is , I wont give up on my father . I believe that miracles can happen . 22-21 Refusing To Be His Perfect Replica , 1 Choose Th Chapter 20 Leaving the doctors office , Aveline realized how dire the situation had become . Her father might never wake up , and without his words , the truth might remain hidden forever . But she couldnt give up so easily . She had to live to uncover the truth . She rushed to the oncology department , where Ryan had just finished an examination . Aveline barged into the room . Ryan , please help me . Ryan , seeing the desperation in her eyes , was moved . Aveline held onto his lab coat like a piece of driftwood in a vast ocean , pleading , Ryan , whether its chemotherapy or surgery , I want to live a bit longer … Only by staying alive could she unravel the mysteries and spend more time with her father . Ryan had no idea what had changed in Aveline to give her newfound hope for survival , but as a doctor , he was pleased . Alright , Ill arrange the first round of chemotherapy for you right away . ( 0 ) ( 0 ) Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...