Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Spring sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Rivera Manor's reception hall, where Sophia sat discussing wedding arrangements with the event planner.

"Sophia, according to Mrs. Rivera's requirements, we need to invite at least eight hundred guests," the planner said, flipping through a thick guest list.

Victoria sat nearby, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sophia, this will be the most magnificent wedding in Rivera family history. I want the whole world to know that our princess has found her prince."

Sophia gently squeezed her grandmother's hand. "Grandmother, please don't exhaust yourself over this."

"Exhausted? Not at all," Victoria shook her head. "I've waited too long for this day. When your mother was..."

Her voice suddenly caught with emotion.

Augustus entered the reception hall, noticing his mother's expression. "Mother, are you thinking about Delilah again?"

"Yes," Victoria dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "If Delilah were still here, seeing Sophia so happy... she would be overjoyed."

Sophia's heart stirred. "Grandmother, are there any other mementos of my mother?"

Victoria pondered for a moment. "There are some, all stored in the attic. I never had the courage to sort through them—too afraid of the painful memories they might bring."

"I'll go with Sophia to look," Augustus offered.

Thirty minutes later, Sophia and Augustus reached the manor's top-floor storage room.

As they pushed open the door, dust particles danced in the sunlight, and decades seemed frozen in time within these walls.

In the corner sat an exquisite mahogany chest with "Delilah" carved into its surface.

Sophia carefully opened the chest, revealing yellowed photographs, diary journals, and several pieces of beautiful jewelry.

"This is your mother at eighteen," Augustus said, pointing to a photograph. "She looked exactly like you then."

Sophia gazed at the beautiful girl in the photo, complex emotions swelling within her chest. The resemblance was uncanny—the same determined eyes, the same graceful bearing that seemed to transcend time itself. Suddenly, her fingers found something hard at the bottom of the chest.

"What's this?" Sophia extracted a sealed envelope.

Augustus's expression changed. "That letter... I've never seen it before."

Sophia's hands trembled slightly as she opened the envelope, revealing several pages of correspondence. Though the ink had faded somewhat, the handwriting remained clearly legible.

"My child, if you're reading this letter, it means I'm no longer in this world. I must tell you a secret—one that concerns the very survival of our family..."

As Sophia continued reading, her face grew increasingly grave. Augustus watched anxiously. "Sophia, what does it say?"

Sophia looked up, shock filling her eyes. "Uncle Augustus, the forces that attacked our family years ago weren't just the business rivals we knew about."

"What do you mean?"

"Mother wrote about a mysterious organization called the 'Shadow Consortium.' They specialize in acquiring or destroying established family enterprises. The Rivera family's rare earth mineral resources and advanced biotechnology patents were exactly what they coveted."

Augustus's face turned ashen. "You're saying that disaster was deliberately orchestrated?"

Sophia nodded, her voice shaking. "Mother discovered evidence that someone within the family was collaborating with this consortium. But she ran out of time to identify the traitor before she was forced to flee with Francis."

"Damn it!" Augustus clenched his fists. "No wonder Gerald infiltrated our family so easily—he had backing all along!"

Sophia continued examining the letters. "Mother also wrote that this consortium doesn't give up easily. Even if one operation fails, they'll return again and again until they completely obtain the Rivera family's core assets."

"Which means..." Augustus's voice grew ominous, "the danger didn't end with Gerald's arrest?"

Just then, Sophia's phone rang. Benjamin was calling.

"Sophia, I just received some disturbing news," Benjamin's voice sounded serious. "Williams Group's intelligence division discovered that several mysterious investment companies have been quietly acquiring Rivera Group stock."

Sophia and Augustus exchanged meaningful glances. "Benjamin, where are you now? We need to meet immediately."

"I'm at the office. I'll come to you right away."

After hanging up, Augustus took a deep breath. "It seems the real battle is just beginning."

Sophia carefully secured the letters. "Uncle Augustus, we cannot let Mother's sacrifice be in vain. No matter how powerful this Shadow Consortium is, we must protect this family."

"You're absolutely right," Augustus's eyes blazed with determination. "This time, we'll take the offensive and eliminate this threat completely."

Twenty minutes later, Benjamin arrived at the manor. In the study, the three gathered around a table, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

"According to our investigation," Benjamin spread out a file, "these investment companies appear unconnected on the surface, but their fund flows all trace back to the same overseas account. More suspiciously, their activities intensified dramatically after Gerald's arrest."

Sophia studied the documents carefully. "They're trying to strike while they think we're off guard."

"It's worse than that," Benjamin continued. "These companies aren't just buying stock—they're secretly approaching Rivera Group's core technical staff and major clients."

Augustus shot to his feet in fury. "They're trying to destroy us from within!"

"Stay calm, Uncle Augustus." Sophia's voice remained steady, though dangerous fire flickered in her eyes. "Since they want to play games, we'll give them a match they'll never forget."

Benjamin looked at Sophia intently. "What's your plan?"

Sophia slowly rose, her mind already formulating their counterattack. The weight of her mother's revelations settled over her like armor—this wasn't just about protecting the family business anymore. This was about honoring the sacrifice of a mother who had died trying to shield her children from forces far more sinister than they'd ever imagined.

Benjamin moved to Sophia's side, his hand gently touching her shoulder. "Whatever happens, I'll stand beside you. All of the Williams family resources are at your disposal."

Sophia turned to look at these two most important men in her life, infinite courage rising within her heart. "Then let's give these enemies lurking in the shadows a lesson they'll never forget."

Augustus settled back into his chair, his eyes blazing with battle-ready intensity. "Sophia, what do you need me to do?"

"First, we act as if we know nothing and continue planning the wedding," Sophia's voice carried cold determination. "Let them believe we're still lost in happiness, completely unprepared."

"And then?" Benjamin asked.

A cold smile played at the corners of Sophia's mouth. "Then we'll set a trap so perfect that these greedy wolves will never escape alive."

As the sun set, the three figures in the study began crafting their detailed counteroffensive. They all understood this would be the final battle determining their family's survival.

Meanwhile, across the ocean in a gleaming skyscraper, several men in black suits sat around a conference table.

"Gerald has failed," one said coldly.

"No matter. He was always just a pawn," another replied with contempt. "The Rivera family thinks they've won, not knowing the real game is just beginning."

"That girl does have some ability, but she's still too young to understand true despair."

"Begin executing Plan B. This time, we'll make the Rivera family disappear from this world completely."

Sinister laughter echoed through the conference room, while across the ocean, Sophia stared at her mother's letter, revenge burning like fire in her eyes.

The battle lines were drawn. The Shadow Consortium had revealed their hand, but they had no idea they were facing a woman who had already survived betrayal, deception, and attempted murder. Sophia Rivera had been forged in the crucible of family secrets and corporate warfare—and she was ready to protect everything her mother had died trying to save.