Chapter 33 Alice Cuts Her Wrist
William was floored by what she said.
"You've seen the hospital results. They can't detect the poison in the kids, but I can."
"I'm their mom. I'd never hurt them."
Sophia's bodyguards showed up, along with her assistant.
She said firmly, "I'll bring them back safe and sound."
The doctors had already gone over James and Michael's test results with them earlier that morning. William's eyes were glued to her confident gaze.
He asked, "How long?"
Sophia replied, "One week. They'll be home healthy."
William pressed, "Where are you taking them?"
She answered slowly, "The ZN Lab."
William's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her.
The ZN Lab, the most secretive facility under Seraphim.
Set up three years ago by some mysterious figure, it brought together the world's best medical minds to tackle the toughest diseases.
Getting help from the ZN Lab wasn't just about power and money; you had to pass their tests.
No one knew what these tests involved.
From applying for help to passing the tests, there was a dedicated follow-up. Those who didn't pass got no assistance.
Crucially, no one knew the ZN Lab's exact location.
Sophia's confidence made it seem like she'd built the lab herself.
Seeing his doubt, she said vaguely, "I have a friend at the ZN Lab."
She didn't elaborate further.
After weighing the pros and cons, William agreed to her plan.
Ten minutes later.
Sophia carried James, and William carried Michael, heading to the rooftop where a helicopter was waiting.
He sensed she had more to say, but she just sighed, holding the kids as she boarded the helicopter.
His fists clenched tightly: she really didn't trust him.
Monkey had taken Emily to the ZN Lab ahead of them.
By the time Sophia arrived with James and Michael, Emily had already been playing with toys in a cozy room for a while.
Sophia personally examined and treated James and Michael.
Everything went smoothly.
Looking at the pale faces of James and Michael on the bed, her hatred for Alice peaked.
She wanted William, and Sophia hadn't stopped her upon returning.
But her three kids were her bottom line, untouchable by anyone.
While James and Michael were being treated, Alice wasn't having it easy either.
The Rivera family's shady businesses were being shut down one after another, anonymously reported for illegal activities.
The Rivera family parents were taken away by the police.
Alice sought William's help immediately, but he was abroad, flying to Seraphim with Tony for a business trip.
She couldn't reach him on his work phone either.
Duke, her father's top man, had been reported for his dirty dealings and was taken by the police two days ago.
His release date was unknown.
Alice smashed everything in her room, her eyes filled with rage as she stared at herself in the mirror. With the Smith family backing her, everyone thought she was William's woman. Who would dare touch the Rivera family?
Sophia, it had to be Sophia!
That car accident, she and her daughter had somehow survived!
If they had died as planned, how could she have moved on to targeting James and Michael so quickly?
It was all Sophia's fault!
"Sophia, I won't let you get away with this!"
Sophia had just taken Emily for a check-up when she received an email from Rat.
With the Rivera family on the brink of bankruptcy, Alice had turned to William, who helped them manage the situation and save their remaining assets.
Rat messaged her online, "Sophia, should we keep going?"
If they pushed further, William would inevitably trace it back to them, and his power was not to be underestimated.
Her eyes cold, she replied, "Keep going!"
Rat never questioned or contradicted her.
She spoke, he acted.
"Send all the dirt on the Rivera family and Alice to Tony."
Sophia added, "In my name."
At the Peace Group's top floor.
Tony received the email and immediately reported to William.
"Mr. Smith, it's from Mrs. Smith."
Tony still preferred to call Sophia Mrs. Smith.
Ignoring William's warning look, he hurriedly said, "The poison in James and Michael's bodies was from... the Rivera family."
Tony was extremely anxious.
William had just helped the Rivera family out of their mess, only to find out they had poisoned his sons!
This was...
He didn't dare to look at William's expression.
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
William flipped through the email.
Duke had bribed a Smith family servant to poison James and Michael's milk with a slow-acting toxin.
Duke had cleverly distanced himself, using several intermediaries, which was why Tony hadn't uncovered it. But Sophia had found out everything.
From Duke meeting the servant's relative, to the servant's children studying abroad, to large sums of money being transferred to their accounts.
Everything was detailed and well-documented.
If this information were exposed, the Rivera family wouldn't just face bankruptcy; even Alice would end up in jail.
At the end of the email.
Sophia had Rat leave a message.
"If you protect Alice, I get full custody of the children."
In an instant, William's heart felt like it was filled with lead, his eyes fixed on the computer screen, reading that sentence over and over.
The moment he saw the email's content, his mind was in turmoil, as if frozen in a snowy field, numbing his nerves, making it hard to breathe.
"What are you all doing? Get to work!"
His voice was filled with uncontrollable rage. The email had hit him hard, leaving him reeling.
At the office door.
Alice clutched her purse tightly.
Tony, in his haste, hadn't closed the office door properly.
She overheard their conversation.
Before Tony could leave, Alice, pale-faced, rushed into the office and knelt before William.
"William, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for the children!"
"Mr. Rogers poisoned James and Michael to take the Rivera family assets and force me to give up shares."
Alice cried, her face full of guilt.
"It's my fault. I shouldn't have let him know how much I cared for James and Michael. If I had known, I would have stayed away from the kids."
William's face was dark, unreadable.
Alice was terrified.
Tony, responding to William's look, hurried to help her up.
"Ms. Rivera, please stand up."
Alice, tears in her eyes, said, "William, I'm so sorry. I didn't know Mr. Rogers was involved..."
William remained silent.
James and Michael were his bottom line. Anyone who tried to harm them would face his wrath.
No exceptions.
Seeing the coldness in William's eyes, Alice gritted her teeth, pulled a knife from her purse, and slashed her wrist.
Blood quickly stained the carpet.
"William, I'll give my life for James and Michael. Please don't ignore me."