Chapter 490

Sophia's hands trembled violently as guilt consumed her entire being. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks without restraint.

She grabbed Vivian's hands and pressed them against her own chest, as if physical pain could somehow atone for her betrayal.

"Stop talking nonsense! How could I ever blame you?" Vivian gently wiped Sophia's tears away with maternal patience. "The real villain here is that snake William Carter."

Her voice softened as she continued, "Consider this a painful lesson. Never trust men blindly again. Always think before you act, otherwise you'll keep getting played like a fool!"

Sophia nodded furiously, her small hands balling into determined fists. "I swear I'll never forget! Men only bring misery - one lifetime isn't enough for their betrayal! After I deal with that bastard William, I'm joining a convent!"

Vivian couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's dramatic declaration.

"Hold off on killing him just yet," Vivian advised. "With Cassandra Delacroix missing, William's our only lead to find Adrian. He was working for her, remember?"

Time was slipping away. Every moment delayed meant her son might forget his real mother and bond with that imposter instead.

As if summoned by their conversation, Sophia's phone rang - William's name flashing on the screen.

"Well, well," Sophia spat into the phone, her voice dripping with venom. "How brave of you to call after what you've done, Dr. Carter!"

"Seems you've discovered everything," William's resigned voice came through. "Meet me? I'll explain everything."

"At least you've got some decency left!" Sophia snapped before hanging up.

She immediately began tearing through the apartment in a frenzy.

"What are you searching for?" Vivian asked.

"My gun. Liam gave it to me for protection." Sophia's voice shook with barely contained rage. "Never thought I'd actually need to use it!"

She finally retrieved the compact pistol from the study shelf. Running her fingers along the cold metal, she hissed, "Once he leads us to Adrian, I'm putting a bullet between his eyes. Nobody betrays an Osborne woman and lives!"

Vivian watched her best friend's theatrics with quiet amusement. She knew Sophia better than anyone - that gentle heart could never truly harm another soul. They were alike in that way.

Even when wronged, they couldn't summon true hatred. Vivian's thoughts drifted unwillingly to Nathaniel - his death had left not satisfaction, but a hollow ache where pain once lived.

She forcefully shook away the memory. Thinking of him always reopened wounds that never fully healed.

William had chosen their first date spot - an upscale beachfront restaurant. He sat alone, drowning his sorrows in glass after glass of whiskey as waves crashed rhythmically against the shore.

The roar of Sophia's sports car announced her arrival before she stormed inside, zeroing in on William instantly.

"William Carter, you lying piece of shit!" she screamed, drawing stares from other diners.

She lunged at him, slapping him hard across both cheeks before yanking his hair painfully. "Where's my nephew? Tell me now!"