Chapter 186 The Real Show Is Just About to Begin
Michael and Vaughn had already pieced together the truth.
The events of the day had shattered Vaughn's perception of Anna completely. Until now, he had never imagined that the granddaughter he had cherished, the one he believed to be clever and well-mannered, could join forces with an outsider to take his life. The betrayal cut deeper than any wound he had ever suffered.
What made it worse was her willingness to turn marriage into a bargaining chip. She knew perfectly well that Michael's heart belonged to Amelia, yet she had conspired with Efrain to force him into marrying her.
Vaughn had lived his entire life with an unblemished reputation. In the Williams family, the creed was woven into their heritage—Integrity above all, honor in solitude. And yet, here he was, staring at the truth that he had raised someone capable of such venomous intent.
The thought alone made his jaw clench until his teeth ached.
Fortunately, Efrain and Anna's plan had failed. Michael's grandmother was safe, resting quietly in her room. Vaughn was alive and unharmed. Compared to that, Efrain's phone call earlier seemed almost laughable in its arrogance.
He didn't even realize that his greatest bargaining chip—the one he thought could crush Michael—had never truly been in his possession.
But then Vaughn's mind turned to the drug, and a knot of unease tightened in his chest.
"Michael," he said, his tone heavy, "you managed to bring your grandmother back before they could use her against you… but is there really no other way to treat her illness?"
"You must not agree to Efrain's terms. He said the drug came from Anna, didn't he? Once I return to the Williams mansion, I'll find a way to get it."
"No need, Mr. Williams," Amelia said, lifting her gaze. Her voice was calm, but there was a blade of cold steel in her voice. "That drug—SDRS—I know what it really is. It's less of a cure and more of a death sentence."
Vaughn froze. "A death sentence?"
"SDRS was derived from an illegal experimental compound developed overseas. Its code name was SiiP. Yes, it can accelerate cellular regeneration, but the cost is irreversible kidney damage."
She spoke without hesitation, her words slicing through the air. "If Michael's grandmother took it, her pulmonary hypertension would ease. She might even live another two years. But every single day after that would be agony."
Vaughn's eyes widened, his anger replaced by a deeper, colder shock. "So Efrain knew about the side effects… and still planned to use it to threaten Michael?"
His voice hardened. "In that case, we can ignore him entirely. But her illness…"
"Mr. Williams," Michael said, "do you know Novagen Biomedical Research Institute? Amelia reached out to Professor Trevor Lewis."
"Trevor?" Vaughn's brows rose in surprise. "I've met him once or twice. That man is famously aloof—barely acknowledges anyone. I'm shocked he agreed to help."
Amelia's tone was light, almost dismissive. "We had some history. He owed me a favor."
Michael continued, "Professor Lewis secured a spot for my grandmother in a clinical trial for a targeted treatment. I can send her there immediately. He'll ensure she's cared for throughout."
With that, the threat Efrain had tried to wield was reduced to nothing. Michael could reject his uncle's demands outright, skip the press conference entirely.
Vaughn could even return to the Williams mansion tomorrow, stand before the public, and prove he was alive—making the press conference pointless.
But Vaughn shook his head, his voice turning cold with resolve. "No. I'm staying here for the next three days. I want to see what my granddaughter will say on Saturday, in front of the entire world."
"If she has even a shred of conscience—just a flicker of guilt—I'll give her one chance to start over."
His gaze hardened. "But if she truly ordered my death, and still manages to stand before the cameras wearing a mask of grief… I will never forgive her."
"This kind of betrayal… if I don't make her pay for it, I'll have no face to meet the Williams family ancestors watching from above."
The thought of Anna's actions reignited Vaughn's fury. Amelia stepped forward quickly, placing a hand on his arm to steady him.
At that moment, Efrain's name flashed across Michael's phone screen.
"Have you made up your mind, Michael?" Efrain's voice was as lazy as ever, carrying the smugness of a man who believed he held all the cards. "Will you hand me the shares and marry Ms. Williams… or will you watch your grandmother die, knowing you'll never see her again?"
It was a brutal choice, designed to corner him completely. Choose the latter, and he would be branded as cold-blooded, selfish, heartless.
Michael glanced at Amelia, then spoke into the phone, his voice like ice. "I accept your terms."
There was a pause, then Efrain's tone shifted to surprise. "What did you just say? You mean… both conditions?"
"Uncle," Michael said, his words cutting like a blade, "you didn't leave me any other choice, did you? I'll attend the press conference. I'll say exactly what you want me to say. But on that day, I see my grandmother first. I confirm she's safe."
"No problem," Efrain replied, his confidence returning. "She's eating well, living comfortably. Not a single bruise on her."
Michael's face remained expressionless. "It had better be that way."
The call ended. Barely two minutes later, the phone belonging to Scarface—the man Efrain had relied on—buzzed on the coffee table.
Amelia crossed the room and pressed the speaker button.
"You should be three hours from Celestria now," Efrain's voice came through. "I've arranged for someone to meet you at the docks and take Michael's grandmother. Once you get the money, you leave immediately."
"And since she's on the ship, feed her well. Don't let her get thin. I don't want anyone thinking I mistreated her."
Silence.
"What's wrong? Bad signal on the ship?"
"Hello? Can you hear me? Hello—"
Before he could finish, Amelia raised her hand and ended the call.
She looked up, meeting Michael's eyes. No words were needed. They understood each other perfectly.
Saturday's press conference…
The real show was only just beginning.