Out of the corner of her eye, Joanna Sherman saw his scratched phone screen, and her fingers tightened on her lap.

But her expression remained impassive.

Yvonne Sherman chimed in after Mrs. Fletcher, "Mrs. Fletcher, what you’re saying is getting more and more absurd! That girl has a family—she’s married!"

"Married?!"

"That can’t be right." Mrs. Fletcher covered her mouth in shock.

She looked at Mrs. Sawyer awkwardly. "But if she’s married, how could she still be...?"

Mrs. Sawyer slowly pushed herself to her feet and began walking toward Sophia Shaw.

The other ladies couldn’t help but rise as well, following her.

Mrs. Fletcher was a beat behind.

Realizing what was about to happen, she let out a small "Oh!" and stood up to follow.

Vincent Grant also got up and headed in that direction.

The last to rise, Yvonne Sherman and Joanna Sherman, exchanged a silent look, a cunning glint in both their eyes.

’Their card games these past few days hadn’t been for nothing. They’d successfully bribed Mrs. Fletcher to be their mouthpiece.’

’There was bound to be a good show tonight.’

"Why did you bring Vincent Grant this way?" Yvonne Sherman asked, glancing at him.

’This was the only flaw in tonight’s plan.’

’She wanted to use Mrs. Sawyer to deal with Sophia Shaw, not have Vincent Grant get involved.’

"You should know that as a man, there’s no way he’d let his own wife be bullied."

Joanna Sherman let out a cold, haughty sneer. "What’s so bad about him defending his wife in public? The more obvious the cuckoldry, the greater the public humiliation. That will only make him more determined to get a divorce!"

Yvonne Sherman thought that made perfect sense and nodded. "That Shaw woman is so infuriating. It’s a rare chance to see Mrs. Sawyer teach her a lesson. Let’s watch the show first!"

The two of them quickened their pace.

"Sophia Shaw!"

As soon as Mrs. Sawyer drew near, she barked out the name, her voice booming.

Sophia Shaw looked up, just as Mrs. Sawyer’s raised hand came swinging down.

"Mrs. Sawyer!" In that split second, Sophia Shaw felt a tug on her arm and was pulled back several steps.

Mrs. Sawyer’s hand hit empty air.

Sophia Shaw turned to look at Vincent Grant.

He pulled her behind him, his large hand gripping her firmly, holding her in place.

His refined features, seen in profile, were etched with a rare protectiveness.

Sophia Shaw was stunned for a moment.

’She never expected Vincent Grant would one day protect her.’

Mrs. Sawyer looked at Vincent Grant, her expression cold.

Vincent Grant said in a low voice, "Mrs. Sawyer, this is a government-hosted banquet. Whatever the issue is, we can discuss it afterward. Let’s not embarrass the government officials here."

Mrs. Sawyer gave an unreadable smile. "I’m simply concerned about my son’s future marriage. How does that have anything to do with embarrassing others?"

HISS—

The other ladies all drew in a sharp breath.

Who exactly was Mrs. Sawyer?

When her husband had an affair, she, an outsider who had married in, broke through their ranks, brought the entire Sawyer Family to its knees, and seized firm control of the company.

She forced the Sawyers, for the sake of their dividends, to kick her husband out with nothing to his name.

Vincent Grant, whom everyone else respected and fawned over, was merely a junior in her eyes.

How could a woman like that tolerate someone causing trouble right under her nose? Even with her husband Vincent Grant protecting her, Sophia Shaw was going to be flayed alive tonight!

Anyone Mrs. Sawyer publicly called out would have their reputation dragged through the mud across the entire city in less than a day!

The mere thought made everyone tremble.

"Miss Shaw."

Mrs. Sawyer called out over Vincent Grant’s shoulder, "I came here to tell you that my Levin isn’t someone that just any riff-raff can associate with."

Yvonne Sherman smirked to herself.

Joanna Sherman crossed her arms, ready to enjoy the show.

’Like mother, like daughter.’

’Sophia Shaw was about to end up just like her own mother!’

"But I have no objection to you and him getting together."

Mrs. Sawyer’s tone suddenly shifted!

"On one condition, however: you must get a divorce first."

Everyone: "..."

A vein throbbed on Vincent Grant’s taut temple. He looked at Mrs. Sawyer in confusion.

Joanna Sherman and Yvonne Sherman exchanged a rapid glance.

"Mrs. Sawyer, are you muddled with anger?"

"Young Master Sawyer is one in a million. How could he possibly marry a divorcée?"

Yvonne Sherman reminded her.

Mrs. Sawyer’s gaze slowly settled on Yvonne Sherman. "Since when is my son’s marriage any of your business?"

"Who do you think you are?"

Yvonne Sherman: "..."

’Being shut down by Mrs. Sawyer in public was utterly humiliating.’

She stammered, "I... I was just looking out for Young Master Sawyer’s best interests."

Mrs. Sawyer snorted. "My son can do as he pleases. Even if Sophia Shaw wasn’t divorced, I’d approve of them dating if he wanted to!"

"As far as I’m concerned, the only real problem would be the Sawyer family line ending."

The implication was clear: as long as Levin Sawyer and Sophia Shaw could produce an heir, she would turn a blind eye!

"This... this..."

Mrs. Sawyer was completely unpredictable. Everyone was stunned.

Everyone knew that Mrs. Sawyer loathed homewreckers above all else. So why was she treating Sophia Shaw like this...?

What kind of spell had Sophia Shaw cast?

With her plan in ruins, Yvonne Sherman was fuming.

’To get Mrs. Fletcher to act as their mouthpiece, she had given her a jewelry set worth tens of millions!’

’She couldn’t even bear to buy such an expensive piece for herself!’

’It was all for nothing!’

’It hurt.’

’It hurt so damn much!’

It was as if a meat slicer had been installed in Yvonne Sherman’s heart, endlessly slicing away. CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.

Joanna Sherman didn’t dare let her hatred show on her face, so she viciously dug her nails into the soft flesh of her inner arms.

Her nails sank deep into her flesh, turning the skin beneath her sleeves into a bloody, mangled mess.

’She had planned to use this opportunity to crush Sophia Shaw once and for all.’

’But who knew...?’

The moment Mrs. Sawyer’s words fell, Sophia Shaw clearly felt Vincent Grant’s back stiffen.

She lowered her head and sneered softly.

’We’re about to get divorced, so what is he getting so worked up about?’

’Perhaps he just finds it unfair that a calculating woman like me actually has someone on her side.’

’After all, in his heart, I’m someone who deserves to be scorned and trampled by all. Even bearing his child didn’t make me worthy of his concern.’

’Now that I’ve seen his true colors, I won’t harbor any more fantasies.’

Sophia Shaw impassively slipped her hand from his grasp and took a step to the side, creating distance between them.

Seeing how the situation had developed, Yvonne Sherman frantically shot a look at Mrs. Fletcher.

Mrs. Fletcher swallowed nervously and, mustering her courage, piped up, "Young Master Sawyer is an outstanding man, and the Sawyer Family’s status is undeniable. If he were to really marry a..."

"This is a government-hosted banquet. We will not discuss private matters," Mrs. Sawyer cut in.

Her expression was placid, even carrying the hint of a smile.

But Mrs. Fletcher knew there was no more room for discussion on the matter.

Levin Sawyer had originally stepped away to get a drink for Sophia Shaw.

When he returned and saw this scene, he put an arm around his mother, a drink in his other hand. "Mom, you’re the best mother in the world."

Mrs. Sawyer patted her son’s back, but she gave Sophia Shaw a playful wink.

Sophia Shaw had to stifle a laugh.

’On the surface, Mrs. Sawyer was noble and elegant, but in reality, she was more vivacious than a child.’

’If Sophia hadn’t been her goddaughter for so many years, she would have never known this side of her.’

"Have fun, you two."

Leaving them with those words, Mrs. Sawyer headed to another part of the room, surrounded by a gaggle of socialites.

"Let’s go."

Levin Sawyer ignored Vincent Grant and Joanna Sherman standing before them. He handed the drink to Sophia Shaw and spoke.

Vincent Grant’s gaze fell on the cup in her hand, and his expression tightened.

Sophia Shaw had already walked past him with Levin Sawyer at her side.

"Those people are vicious, choosing an event like this to drag my mother into it."

Once they were away from the crowd, Levin Sawyer commented bluntly.

"Too bad for them, they had no idea you’re my mom’s favorite goddaughter. She loves you even more than she loves me."

When Levin Sawyer had suddenly returned to the country and declared he was going to build rockets, Mrs. Sawyer had done some digging. She discovered his partner was a girl not yet twenty years old, decided her son had gone completely insane, and immediately stormed the rocket facility.

But the moment she met Sophia Shaw in the flesh, her heart melted completely. She forgot why she had come and insisted on adopting Sophia as her goddaughter.

In Mrs. Sawyer’s own words, she had dreamed her whole life of having a daughter as adorable as Sophia, but sadly, all she got was a good-for-nothing son.

Back then, Sophia had a sweet, rosy face and wasn’t as quiet as she was now. She was a bold go-getter who wasn’t afraid to challenge her professors.

Mrs. Sawyer felt their temperaments were so similar; it was as if Sophia was a gift sent to her from heaven.

She basically set up camp there, cooking for the two of them every day.

She was only forced to leave when a relative fell gravely ill.

During that period, Mrs. Sawyer prioritized Sophia in everything, giving her all the best things. Her own son, Levin, had to make do with the leftovers.

As they reminisced about the past, Sophia couldn’t help but recall Mrs. Sawyer’s kindness.

Waves of warmth washed over her heart.

It was the first time she had experienced a mother’s love since her own mother had passed away.

So warm.

It wasn’t that Mrs. Sawyer hadn’t considered setting her up with her own son.

It was just that neither of them was interested in the other that way.

Later, Sophia Shaw had hastily married Vincent Grant.

"It’s been years, but Mrs. Sawyer still looks so young," Sophia Shaw remarked softly.

When she had decided to marry Vincent Grant, Mrs. Sawyer was the first to object. She hadn’t wanted Sophia to waste the best years of her life on domesticity.

But Sophia had insisted.

Mrs. Sawyer had been heartbroken about it for a long time.

And out of guilt, Sophia hadn’t dared to contact her since.

"My mom has really missed you. She was worried you’d feel too awkward to reach out, so she used this event as an excuse to come," Levin Sawyer said.

"Mrs. Sawyer..."

Sophia was so moved she choked up. She lowered her head, fighting back tears as an even deeper wave of guilt washed over her.

Levin Sawyer gently patted her shoulder in comfort.

Their overlapping shadows stretched far into the distance, and to the two pairs of eyes watching them, the scene took on an inexplicably intimate quality.

Joanna Sherman retracted her gaze and leaned lazily against a wall, sipping her drink as if completely uninterested in the events unfolding.

But out of the corner of her eye, she watched Vincent Grant through her glass, not missing a single move he made.

The gleaming cufflinks at his wrist accentuated its long, powerful lines. The fingers holding his glass tightened slightly.

Joanna Sherman’s own fingers tightened in response.

After comforting Sophia, Levin Sawyer said, "Joanna and Yvonne Sherman didn’t cause this scene just to humiliate you. It’s not that simple."

Sophia Shaw nodded. "I know."

Joanna Sherman has always enjoyed putting me down, ever since we were children. Now that I’ve suddenly been made the project lead, she’s naturally unhappy.

They went to all this trouble to find Mrs. Sawyer for no other reason than to use her to strip me of my title as project lead.

"All petty schemes and no actual talent!" Levin Sawyer had the utmost contempt for people like Joanna Sherman.

The two spoke for a moment before Levin Sawyer received a call.

It was something important. Levin Sawyer whispered a quick explanation to her and walked off with his phone to his ear.

Lifting the hem of her skirt, Sophia Shaw walked out, only to come face to face with the duo in the corridor.