“Come back!” The old master was so angry that he was gasping for breath. “Sophia can leave alone! You stay! I have more to ask you!”
Livinus turned back and said, “Dad, Sophia is still hungry. I can’t let her go alone.”
After speaking, he draped his coat over her shoulders, wrapped an arm around her, and walked out with her.
As they passed through the front door, Sophia and Andrea locked eyes. In each other’s gaze, they saw a multitude of complex emotions.
Sophia curled her lips into a smirk and mouthed something.
Andrea was so enraged she nearly jumped in frustration.
Only she saw what Sophia had just said: “I will be back.”
By the time Henry returned, Livinus and Sophia were already gone. Seeing that the old master was still furious, he seized the opportunity and asked,
“Dad, you already know?”
The old master paused and looked up at him. “When did you find out?”
“I’ve known for a long time.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“I…” Henry was just about to speak when Olivia tugged at his sleeve from below. His thoughts shifted, and he sighed, “How could I bring it up? You know Uncle’s status—I dare not go against him. Besides, Sophia was once my wife, which makes it even harder for me to speak about it. Grandpa, I still have my pride.
Back then, Sophia cheated on me. Not long after Uncle returned, she got involved with him. If she was this unfaithful to me, who knows how many times she betrayed me behind my back? How could I possibly want a woman like that?
So, even if you all didn’t understand my insistence on divorcing her, I was determined to go through with it. I simply could not continue living with such a woman.”
“You’re saying she was involved with Livinus before the divorce?”
“Of course! Otherwise, how did they end up together? I thought about it and realized they must have started their affair within the Scott family. We were all deceived by her! That woman is far from simple.”
Henry didn’t actually want to say all this, but the existence of Miss Emily’s child posed too much of a threat to them. He had to seize the opportunity to suppress Livinus.
The old master’s face darkened with rage, and he lowered his head to eat, remaining silent.
Later, when they were alone in their room, the old madam spoke up, “Henry’s words can’t be trusted.”
“You’re still defending your precious son?” the old master retorted.
“My precious son? Isn’t he yours too? Don’t tell me you love him any less than I do!” The old madam rolled her eyes.
The old master was so angry he couldn’t even speak.
“That unfilial son! Does he want to drive me to my grave?”
“Henry said they were involved a long time ago, but I don’t think that’s true. Livinus is my son—I raised him. I understand him well. He has a sense of pride and would never do something like that.”
The old master didn’t respond. He also knew Livinus’s personality well—he despised sneaky behavior.
He liked to put everything out in the open.
The old madam continued, “Being angry is one thing, but think about it. When did Henry’s affair happen? He has been with Olivia for a long time. Meanwhile, Livinus only returned last summer. The timeline doesn’t match.
I’m more inclined to believe they met in the Scott house, but they only got together after Sophia divorced.”
She paused, her expression turning sharp. “More importantly, Henry is willing to smear his own uncle just to protect his own interests. A man like that cannot be entrusted with great responsibilities.”
“I don’t have the patience to think about all that right now! Don’t you realize what will happen when people find out they’re together? My reputation will be in shambles!”
—
Meanwhile, Sophia stood at the kitchen door, watching as Livinus busied himself inside.
Since she was pregnant, he wouldn’t let her cook. He had pushed her outside, afraid the cooking fumes would make her uncomfortable.
“What if the old master refuses to accept it?” she asked.
“Don’t worry. A relationship without obstacles isn’t solid. If you think about it positively, this is the best way to test me.”
Sophia smirked. “Do I need to test you?”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” he said with a teasing smile. “See what I choose when faced with a dilemma—you or the family business?”
Sophia chuckled. In reality, she didn’t need to test him. She trusted her own judgment.
Besides, even if they didn’t end up together, she had nothing to worry about.
She had money. If she was in a bad mood, she could always go on an expensive vacation.
She could have the baby if she wanted, or not if she didn’t.
She still had plenty of choices.
—
Nancy had somehow heard about the situation and secretly messaged Sophia: “You really met his family?”
“Yes.” Sophia sent back a smiley face.
“Did it go badly?”
“Of course.”
