Derek's face was a mask of shock. His lips trembled as he retorted, “What nonsense are you speaking? I've already resigned. How could I have the means to tamper with anything at the agency?"

Nicole had anticipated his denial, but his reaction told her that he was hiding something. She coolly stated, “You may have resigned, but isn't Leighton Sugden still working there?"

Derek's face crumpled, but he quickly composed himself and snapped, “What are you blabbering about? How is Leighton connected to me?"

Derek was unaware that Nicole had been trailing him for a while and had discovered his unusual relationship with Leighton.

“Watch your words, and shut your mouth. If you spew any more nonsense, I'll tear it apart!" Derek threatened Nicole sinisterly.

It was late at night, and they were alone on the street. Derek assumed Nicole would be terrified, so he tried to intimidate her.

However, Nicole remained unruffled. If he dared to harm her, it would only be a reason to get him investigated.

“You and Leighton left this restaurant one after the other just a few moments back. This place offers those kinds of rooms, doesn't it? If I call the police now, do you think they will take you in for questioning?"

Derek panicked for a moment and stuttered, "You... You've been following me?"

"Of course, if I didn't know about your activities, I wouldn't have come looking for you. Oh, and by the way, Leighton is a married woman. How do you think her husband would react if he found out about the two of you?" Nicole chose her words smartly, giving the impression that she knew a lot when in reality, she was only in possession of a little information.

ALL Nicole had were tidbits she had picked up from casual conversations with the cleaning lady at the agency. She didn't even know what Leighton's husband did or where he worked. But she couldn't reveal her cards. She had to pretend like she knew everything to unnerve Derek.

As expected, Derek was unable to withstand the pressure and asked in an agitated voice, "What do you want?"

"I want to know if you and Leighton conspired together on the thirteenth to switch the blood samples." Nicole's question was direct and to the point.

It wasn't difficult to reach this conclusion. It was clear from Derek's demeanor that he had a hand in the incident. Since he had already resigned, he could only have utilized Leighton's presence in the agency to accomplish it.

Jarrod didn't employ idiots. It was easier to target Derek than to try to go through Leighton.

Nicole had learned from the cleaning lady at the agency that Leighton came from an affluent background and had two children, so Leighton was less likely to take a risk. But it would be different if Derek asked her to do it. Since Leighton's mind was clouded with love, Derek could easily persuade her with his sweet words.

“How do you know..." Derek began asking. But he instantly realized something wasn't right and abruptly changed his tone, exclaiming, "Stop spouting nonsense!"

Perhaps he was still on a high from meeting his lover. Besides, it was late into the night, and his mind wasn't as alert as during the day. He nearly revealed something, which could have been a_ huge mistake.

“Do you think everything you say is correct? Stop speaking rubbish. Be careful walking about at night. You might get such a fright that you drop dead!" Derek threatened malevolently and got into his car to get out of here.

Nicole tapped on his car window, intent on asking him more questions when suddenly, he started the car and sped off.