Chapter 253

Chapter 253

Gerald's naturally suspicious nature made that ever-present sense of crisis unbearable. Unable to openly defy Augustus, he secretly hired several top-tier private investigators to tail Augustus's car in twenty-four-hour shifts.

However, after several days, the reports coming back only made him increasingly agitated.

"Mr. Rivera, Mr. Augustus Rivera's schedule has been very routine these past few days. Apart from company meetings, he just goes to the estate to have coffee with Amanda, occasionally visits the golf course. Nothing unusual whatsoever."

Listening to the phone report, Gerald irritably loosened his tie, his eyes dark with suspicion.

No anomalies—that was the biggest anomaly of all.

How could that old fox Augustus possibly live such a retirement-like existence so calmly after going through the recognition ceremony?

What he didn't know was that those so-called top investigators he'd hired looked like three-year-olds playing house in Augustus's eyes.

On the city ring road, a black Maybach cruised smoothly.

Augustus sat in the back seat with his eyes closed, resting.

The bodyguard in front glanced at the rearview mirror and reported quietly, "Sir, those two tails are still following."

"Foolish creatures." Augustus chuckled coldly without even opening his eyes. "Same old routine—take a few detours and lose them clean."

"Yes, sir."

The Maybach wove through several complex overpasses and one-way streets, using absolute familiarity with the roads and superior driving skills to completely shake off the two tailing cars in less than ten minutes.

After confirming safety, the car quietly entered the underground garage of the Jenkins Estate.

In the study.

Augustus looked at Sophia sitting across from him and let out a long sigh.

"Sophia, your uncle has been suffocating these past few days." Augustus set down his teacup, his tone carrying both helplessness and murderous intent. "That little bastard Gerald actually dares to have me followed! If it weren't for playing this chess game with you, wanting to uproot the forces behind them completely, I would have had him tied up and thrown in the river to feed the fish long ago!"

Seeing Augustus struggling to contain his rage, a hint of amusement flashed in Sophia's cool eyes.

She personally refilled Augustus's coffee, her voice gentle yet carrying the certainty of someone with everything under control.

"Uncle, please be patient a little longer." Sophia spoke unhurriedly. "The higher Gerald climbs now, the more completely shattered he'll be when he falls. When Amanda thinks she's gained trust, when Gerald thinks he controls the core projects—when they're at their most triumphant and careless, that's when we'll close the net."

Augustus watched Sophia's composed demeanor—unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before her—and miraculously felt his anger subside, replaced by overwhelming pride.

Truly worthy of Rivera family blood. This wisdom and capability surpassed even his younger self.

"Fine, I'll listen to you." Augustus nodded. "Let those two beasts enjoy themselves a few more days."

Just then, David's phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

He answered, listened for a few moments, and his previously calm expression instantly showed undisguised excitement.

"Good, I understand. We'll be right there!"

Hanging up, David shot to his feet, looking at Augustus and Sophia with a trembling voice: "Augustus, Sophia! The nursing facility called—Mrs. Victoria Rivera... she's awake!"

The words struck like thunder in the study.

Augustus bolted upright, rising so quickly he knocked over his coffee cup. Coffee spilled across the desk, but he didn't notice.

"My mother's awake?!" Augustus wept openly, his voice hoarse beyond recognition. "Quick! Prepare the car!"

Thirty minutes later, at the Jenkins family's secret private nursing facility.

Outside the top-floor premium care room, Augustus, Sophia, David, and Robert all waited anxiously in the corridor.

The room door opened and the attending physician emerged, removing his mask with a relieved smile: "It's a miracle! Not only is Mrs. Rivera awake, but the removal of the brain hemorrhage also cleared the blood clots that were compressing her nerves. Her mental clarity is much better than before."

Augustus thanked him repeatedly in excitement, impatiently pushing through the door.

The room was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic. Victoria lay propped up in bed, her head still wrapped in gauze. Her originally graying hair appeared even thinner, and she'd lost considerable weight, but her previously clouded eyes now showed a weak but clear awareness.

"Mom..." Augustus approached the bedside and dropped to his knees, grasping Victoria's withered hand and crying like a child. "Your son failed you, letting you suffer..."

Victoria looked at her silver-haired son before her, her eyes also moistening.

She tremblingly raised her hand to touch Augustus's head, her voice weak but clear: "Augustus, don't cry... Mom's fine."

Sophia stood at the doorway, watching this scene as moisture gathered in her cool eyes.

Victoria's gaze moved past Augustus to land on Sophia at the door.

In that instant, her previously calm expression became intensely agitated, her thin lips trembling violently.

"Delilah... my Delilah..." Victoria struggled to sit up, reaching her skeletal hand toward Sophia as tears poured out. "Delilah, you finally came to see Mom..."

Sophia's heart jolted as she quickly moved to the bedside, grasping Victoria's cold hand.

"Grandma." Sophia's voice was slightly hoarse. Looking into the old woman's expectant eyes, she no longer concealed the truth, speaking softly but firmly: "I'm not Delilah. I'm Delilah's daughter—I'm your granddaughter, Sophia."

Victoria froze. She stared blankly at Sophia's face, so similar to her daughter's, taking a long time to process this reality.

"Delilah's daughter... my granddaughter..." Victoria pulled Sophia into her embrace, sobbing heartbrokenly. "Good child... my good child! You look exactly like your mother... Grandma finally found you!"

The bond of blood completely transcended the chasm between life and death in this moment.

Sophia leaned against the old woman's frail shoulder, her usually hardened defenses completely down as tears silently fell.

Then Robert also approached with reddened eyes, kneeling on one knee beside the bed.

"Grandma, there's me too." Robert grasped Victoria's other hand, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm Francis's son. My name is Robert—I'm your grandson."

Victoria's whole body shook as she looked at Robert in disbelief.