She also brought a few ginseng roots. Though she knew the Scott family didn’t lack such things, visiting a prestigious family like theirs made gift-giving quite difficult.
“You don’t need to bring anything when you visit. You’re not an outsider,” the old master said with a smile.
However, the old madam’s expression suddenly turned cold as she stared at Livinus and asked, “Where is your girlfriend? Didn’t you say she’s already here?”
The old master, noticing her tone, also turned to look at him. It was only then that he realized everyone’s expressions had changed.
He looked at Sophia again, his gaze now scrutinizing.
“Speak, Livinus! Where is your girlfriend?” The old master suddenly struck his cane against the floor, his tone filled with authority.
Livinus remained composed. He pulled Sophia into his embrace and declared openly:
“She’s standing right in front of you.”
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as if the sky were about to collapse. The old master and old madam’s expressions turned sour, and everyone else in the room reacted differently. But one thing was certain—everyone thought Livinus must have lost his mind!
If he wasn’t crazy, how could he possibly be with Sophia?
Sophia was once his nephew’s wife!
Was he really willing to defy societal norms for a woman? To disregard his reputation, status, and wealth, and insist on going against the grain?
“You’ve lost your mind!” The old master stated decisively. “She was Henry’s ex-wife. You watched Henry grow up! His wife was your nephew’s wife! This is something everyone knows. You are the CEO of the Scott Corporation, the face of the Scott family. Every word and action of yours impacts the future of the company. Shareholders are watching you. You have no right to act recklessly!”
The old master was furious, but luckily, the old madam held him back.
She looked at the pair before her and sighed internally.
As much as she didn’t want to admit it, the two of them did seem well-matched. Livinus was tall and steady, while Sophia was beautiful and reserved. At a glance, they seemed like the same kind of people.
In both height and appearance, they were outstanding. If not for the past, she would have accepted Sophia as her daughter-in-law, even if her family background was ordinary.
But now, what was this supposed to be?
Before, Sophia had called her “Grandmother.” Now, she would have to call her “Mother”?
“Livinus, your actions have made everyone unhappy. If Sophia enters our family, how will others see us? How will they see her? People will suspect she cheated during her marriage and was involved with you all along. They will say she is manipulative, that she went from being a nephew’s wife to being with his uncle. The rumors will be awful. Have you considered that?”
Livinus’s tone was cold as he said, “Whether others are happy or not has nothing to do with me. How others see me is also irrelevant. I only care about whether I am happy and how I see things.”
The old madam felt a sense of panic. This child had been outstanding since he was young, and he had always spoken and acted in a way that left no room for criticism.
Because of this, he had been designated as the heir at a young age.
Precisely because he was so capable, she knew that once he made a decision, it was not easily changed, nor could he be easily manipulated.
Since he had decided to be with Sophia, even eight oxen couldn’t pull him back.
“Livinus, you can’t make the whole family suffer with you. And what about me? How am I supposed to get along with such a daughter-in-law?”
“Mom, maybe this decision doesn’t satisfy you, but you should know—it’s me who is choosing a wife, not you. Sophia and Henry divorced long ago. When she got together with me, she was already divorced. Since that’s the case, I am unmarried, and she is divorced—what’s so unacceptable about that?”
“You…” The old madam was furious, but she couldn’t find words to refute him.
“I don’t agree!” The old master angrily pounded his cane. “How can our Scott family accept such a daughter-in-law? This is impossible! Miss Smith…”
“Hmm?”
“Please take your things and get out of the Scott house! There is no need for this meal! Our Scott family will never accept you!”
Sophia didn’t seem surprised at all. She simply smiled and said, “I won’t take the gifts back. Just because I didn’t get to eat doesn’t mean I should take back the gifts I brought. That wouldn’t be proper etiquette.”
The old master didn’t even look at her.
Just as Sophia was about to leave, Livinus grabbed her hand.
“You haven’t eaten yet. I’ll eat with you.”
“No need, you stay here.”
“There’s no need to continue this meal,” Livinus returned the old master’s words. “Since that’s the case, let’s not eat.”
