Chapter 250
Chapter 250
“Today is both a good day and a heartbreaking one.” David handed one of the glasses to Augustus, a complicated light flickering in his eyes. “This drink is for Delilah—and for finally finding the truth.”
Augustus accepted the glass and stared at the amber liquid inside. He nodded heavily.
“Alright. To Delilah.”
The two men clinked glasses and tipped back their heads, draining the strong liquor in one swallow.
The burning alcohol slid down their throats like fire, scorching their insides, yet somehow easing the pain buried deep within their hearts.
They sat together on the sofa and, with the help of the alcohol, began talking about Delilah.
Augustus spoke of her adorable mischief as a child, while David reminisced about his wife’s gentle nature and stubborn determination when she was young.
Those beautiful memories, long buried by time, gradually came back to life through their stories.
Sophia sat quietly nearby, listening to them talk about the mother who felt both familiar and unfamiliar to her. A faint warmth slowly softened her usually cool eyes.
The study door closed gently behind her, shutting away the suppressed sobs and remembrance of the two elders.
Leaning against the cold wall outside, Sophia felt her eyes grow misty.
“Sophia.”
A deep, rich voice sounded from the end of the hallway.
Benjamin strode toward her, his tall, powerful frame carrying a reassuring sense of calm authority.
He asked no questions.
Instead, he opened his arms and wrapped her completely in his embrace.
Resting his chin against the top of her head, Benjamin gently stroked her back.
“Did you get all the answers?”
“Mm.” Sophia buried her face against his solid chest. Listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, she finally felt the tension of the past several days melt away.
Benjamin tightened his arms around her, but his eyes gradually turned cold in the dim light.
Lowering his head slightly, he spoke in a voice laced with icy menace.
“I found something about the hospital.”
Sophia immediately looked up, the sharpness returning to her gaze.
“Who was it?”
The Williams family’s private hospital was heavily secured. Anyone capable of planting a virus and switching the DNA samples without detection was far more than an ordinary insider.
“It was Ethan.”
The moment Benjamin said the name, disappointment and fury darkened his eyes.
Sophia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She had imagined countless possibilities, but Ethan had never been one of them.
“Has he lost his mind?” she asked, frowning. “He knew it was Williams territory. He knew this would completely enrage you.”
“He had a weakness someone could exploit.”
Benjamin let out a cold laugh.
“I had my people recover hidden surveillance footage from the laboratory and investigate his financial records. Amanda has evidence that he owes enormous gambling debts at overseas casinos and even embezzled company funds. To save himself, he abandoned every last shred of principle.”
A chill ran through Sophia.
She had never expected Ethan to fall so low.
To cover up his own crimes, he had willingly become Amanda and Gerald’s weapon, personally destroying her chance of reclaiming her true identity.
“I won’t let him get away with it.”
Murderous intent surged in Benjamin’s eyes.
The Williams family had no tolerance for traitors.
“Not yet.”
Sophia grasped his hand, her expression frighteningly calm.
“As long as he’s still free, Amanda and Gerald will believe their plan is flawless. This game has only just begun.”
The next few days passed peacefully on the surface.
Every day, Augustus went to work as usual, yet he always looked exhausted and defeated, as though the fake DNA report had drained all life from him.
Inside the CEO’s office, Augustus pushed several thick folders across the desk toward Gerald.
“Gerald, I’m truly tired.”
Rubbing his temples, he released a long sigh.
“These are the company’s key projects for the second half of the year. Overseas acquisitions and the South District renewable energy development. Take charge of them. If you handle them well, the Rivera family will eventually be yours to lead.”
Gerald stared at the confidential files stamped TOP SECRET.
His pupils dilated.
His heart pounded wildly.
Core projects.
Augustus was handing him the very lifeblood of the Rivera family.
Suppressing his excitement, Gerald put on a humble expression.
“Dad, I don’t know if I’m ready. These projects are huge. I’m afraid I don’t have enough experience—”
“If I say you can do it, then you can.”
Augustus waved him off.
“Don’t disappoint me.”
“Yes, Dad. I’ll do my very best.”
Gerald lowered his head, hiding the triumph nearly spilling from his eyes.
He thought he had won.
Sophia’s true identity had been buried forever.
Augustus had lost all hope.
And the enormous fortune of the Rivera family was finally within his grasp.
Determined to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and secure his position permanently, Gerald threw himself into the projects with manic enthusiasm.
He worked late every night, attended endless business dinners, and rarely returned to the family estate.
Which was exactly what Augustus wanted.
With Gerald completely occupied by the projects and unable to pay attention elsewhere, Augustus moved swiftly.
Late one night, several unmarked black executive vehicles quietly entered the underground parking garage of a private hospital downtown.
Elite bodyguards from the Jenkins family, fully equipped and heavily armed, sealed off every entrance leading to the intensive care unit.
Victoria, still unconscious, was carefully transferred into a specially designed medical transport vehicle.
Without attracting the slightest attention, she was moved out of the hospital and taken directly to one of the Jenkins family’s most secretive private rehabilitation facilities.
It was not until two days later that Gerald realized something was wrong.
Carrying a newly signed contract, he went to visit the hospital, intending to continue playing the role of the devoted grandson in front of Augustus.
The moment he pushed open the ICU door, his heart nearly stopped.
The room was empty.
Even the bedsheets had been replaced.
“Where is she?!”
His face changed dramatically.
Grabbing a passing nurse by the arm, he demanded,
“Where’s my grandmother?!”
Startled by his ferocious expression, the nurse stammered,
“Mr. Augustus Rivera... transferred Mrs. Rivera yesterday.”
“Transferred her where?!”
“I—I’m sorry. Patient information is confidential. Mr. Rivera specifically instructed us to keep everything strictly secret. We don’t know either.”
Gerald slowly released her.
Cold sweat instantly soaked through his back.
Transferred?
And kept completely hidden from him?
Why would Augustus secretly move Victoria without telling him?
Had Victoria awakened?
Or had Augustus discovered something?
Panic coiled around Gerald’s heart like a venomous serpent, squeezing tighter and tighter.