Chapter 489
Liam Osborne paced outside the police station for what felt like hours. Still no sign of Briar Desrosiers. His patience snapped like a twig.
He stormed inside, demanding answers from the officer handling Briar's case. The truth hit him like a slap - she'd been released hours ago.
"Damn it!" Liam's fist connected with the wall as he dialed Vivian Lockhart.
"Boss, I screwed up. That snake must've known we were waiting. She slipped out another exit."
"Forget it." Vivian's voice crackled through the phone. "I'll handle this my way."
Back at Sunup Residence, Vivian's fingers flew across the keyboard. The glow of the monitor cast sharp shadows on her determined face. She'd hacked into the Lux Hotel's surveillance system.
The footage made her blood boil. There was Briar, doting on Adrian like he was her own. Shopping sprees. Ice cream. Even bedtime stories.
But the worst part? Adrian holding Briar's hand willingly. Smiling. Like some happy little family.
"My God..." Vivian pressed her palms against her temples. "I might actually stroke out."
Sophia Osborne stifled a laugh beside her. "Who knew our little tough guy could be so easily bought with toys and candy?"
Then Sophia's smile died. Her nails dug into her palms.
There he was. William Carter. Knocking on Briar's hotel room door.
Vivian slammed the laptop shut. "Enough. If Adrian's smart enough to turn Briar in himself, he can find his way home."
"Did you see that?" Sophia's voice trembled.
"See what?" Vivian's terrible acting could've won a Razzie.
"Play it again." Sophia's fingers trembled as she reached for the laptop.
"Can't. Access expired."
Sophia grabbed Vivian's arm. "Hack it again! I need to know if I'm going crazy!"
Vivian sighed. "You're not crazy. William and Briar have history. Serious history."
Sophia's face crumpled. She slapped her own cheeks hard. "I'm such an idiot! All those questions about you... I was just his pawn!"
Her fists pounded her thighs. "This is all my fault! Adrian's gone because of me! Hit me, Vivian! I deserve it!"