Chapter 292 Unraveling Deception

Chapter 292 Unraveling Deception

Daphne watched William's expression darken after hearing her words. His command to retrieve something filled her with dread.

She trembled with anxiety, fearing he might demand payment for her medical treatment. Currently destitute, she had no means to repay him.

Her only hope was that William would let her off the hook.

William studied Daphne, frustration building inside him. Only now did he begin to understand—he might have been wrong about something crucial.

If Daphne wasn't his one-night stand, then who was?

He quickly realized this entire situation had unfolded based on Megan's guidance. She had led him step by step to identify Daphne as that woman.

What if this was all Megan's scheme?

The thought made William's rage explode. He couldn't believe he'd been led around by the nose like this.

The murderous glint in his eyes terrified Daphne, who shook uncontrollably.

Finally, she collapsed to her knees, crying out, "I truly have no money! Please be merciful and let me go!"

William's gaze darkened. Consumed by fury, he barely registered Daphne's presence.

"Mr. Sterling, I've brought what you requested."

Ivan opened the door and entered, handing a small box to William.

William opened the box and removed a ring, holding it up. "Do you recognize this ring?"

Daphne looked up in panic, glancing quickly at the item before shaking her head. "No, no, I don't!"

"Look more carefully. Are you absolutely certain you don't recognize this?" William moved the ring closer to Daphne's face. His voice carried barely contained rage, his expression cold.

Daphne shuddered, her voice breaking as she whispered, "I truly don't recognize it. It's not mine. I've never seen it before."

Her response ignited William's fury.

"Megan. She dared to lie to me!"

With that declaration, he maneuvered his wheelchair toward the door, his rage palpable. Ivan followed closely behind, both exiting just as Richard approached.

Seeing William's furious expression, Richard quickly asked, "What's happening? Is Daphne still inside?"

William stopped his wheelchair. His voice was ice-cold as he addressed Richard.

"Daphne cannot leave yet. Have someone watch her closely."

"Understood."

Ivan acknowledged the order, immediately making a phone call. Within moments, several security guards rushed forward.

As the elevator doors closed, Daphne's desperate cries echoed faintly down the corridor.

Inside the elevator, William's expression grew even colder hearing her pleas. All he wanted now was to confront Megan and demand answers.

"Find Megan's location. I want to see her immediately!"

"Yes, sir."

Ivan wasted no time, making another call. Within moments, he had located Megan—she was working at a bar.

"To the bar," William commanded.

"Yes, sir."

Ivan personally drove, speeding toward their destination with urgency.

It was mid-afternoon, and the bar wasn't crowded. Ivan searched thoroughly but couldn't locate Megan.

He promptly dragged the bar owner before William.

"Mr. Sterling, this is the bar owner. We haven't found Megan inside."

"Mr. Sterling, what an honor to have you visit! Has my establishment offended you in some way?" The owner looked nervous.

William looked up, his expression causing the bar owner to flinch. "I'm only here looking for someone," he said coolly.

"Yes, yes, please tell me who." The owner smiled obsequiously.

In Brighton Harbor, everyone knew William. The bar owner never imagined his humble establishment would receive such a distinguished visitor. This encounter alone would give him bragging rights for years.

If he could somehow earn William's favor, all the better.

With this thought, the owner's smile grew even more ingratiating.

William spoke calmly, "You have a woman working here named Megan Rice?"

"Megan?" The owner thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't believe we have anyone by that name."

"Think carefully before you answer. We've confirmed someone saw her here. If you lie to Mr. Sterling, you won't live to regret it," Ivan threatened.

Intimidated, the bar owner quickly backpedaled.

"No, no, I wouldn't lie to Mr. Sterling! Most women who work here use stage names. I might know the person by face but not by her real name."

Hearing this, Ivan released the man's collar and took out his phone, displaying Megan's photo. "Look carefully. This is who we're searching for."

"Oh, you mean Luna! Yes, yes, she works here. She should arrive any minute."

As the owner spoke, a alluringly dressed woman appeared at the bar entrance.

He looked up with relief. "There's Luna now!"

Ivan charged toward the door.

When Megan spotted him approaching, she screamed, flinging her cigarette at Ivan before turning to run.

She barely made it two steps before Ivan grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back, depositing her unceremoniously before William.

"Mr. Sterling, we've found her."

Thrown to the floor, Megan looked up defiantly, her heavily made-up eyes glaring.

"William, what do you want? If you're looking for someone to blame, shouldn't you find Anna?" she spat. "Oh wait, you can't find Anna, can you? I heard she's living it up abroad. Look at your pathetic, half-dead state—who are you trying to impress? Anna, that heartless woman, wouldn't even spare you a glance."

Contrary to her expectations, William remained unmoved by her words.

Noticing his lack of reaction, Megan sensed something was wrong.

She eyed him suspiciously. "What do you really want?"

"Now that you've finished, it's my turn." William reached into his pocket and held out the ring. "Where exactly did you get this ring?"

When Megan saw the ring, her eyes flickered nervously.

She hadn't expected William to still fixate on this after so much time had passed.

She stammered, "I got it from Daphne, of course. Isn't she in your custody? Why don't you ask her?"

She clung to a sliver of hope that psycho Daphne wouldn't be able to provide any coherent answers.

But William's next words shattered her hope completely.