Chapter 494

She was certain he wasn't dead. That man had more lives than a cockroach. There was no way death could claim him so easily.

Vivian discovered from the waiter that Ethan had exited through the side door. Without hesitation, she turned to follow him—

"Help! Someone's collapsed!"

A shrill scream pierced the air as a woman pointed at William's motionless body on the floor.

Panic erupted. Most patrons fled, but a few curious onlookers formed a tight circle around the scene.

"William, you bastard! Quit faking!" Sophia's hands trembled violently as she shook his limp form. "Get up right now or I swear—"

Something felt off. Vivian abandoned her pursuit and pushed through the crowd.

"What happened?" Her sharp tone cut through the chaos.

"That woman killed him!" An accusatory finger jabbed toward Sophia. "She was slapping him earlier, and now look!"

"Call the police! Don't let the murderer escape!"

Sophia's face drained of color. "That's impossible! This spineless worm wouldn't die from a few slaps!" She kicked William's shoe. "Enough games!"

The crowd's murmurs grew hostile.

Vivian's patience snapped. "Silence!" Her command froze everyone in place.

"Viv, check what trick this scumbag's pulling." Sophia stepped back, feigning indifference. "He can't die yet—not before telling me where Adrian is."

Vivian knelt, examining the dark blood at William's lips. She inhaled sharply. "Poison. A lethal dose, by the looks of it."

Sophia staggered as if struck. Her vision blurred with unshed tears.

Guilt? Cowardice? Was this his pathetic way out?

"Don't break down yet." Vivian's voice was steady. "If we get him to a hospital now, they might pump his stomach in time."

"Let him rot." But Sophia was already hauling him up, her movements frantic.

Bystanders rushed to assist.

Vivian didn't follow. Sophia could handle this.

She had a far more pressing matter—finding Ethan before the night ended.

The side door beckoned.