Sophia Shaw warned, "If you dare touch me, it’s a crime!"

"So what?" Young Master Judd was completely unfazed. "Vincent told me himself that he doesn’t love you! He’s in love with Joanna Sherman now. You’re nothing but a cast-off wife. Even if I sleep with you, he won’t lift a finger to get justice for you."

Sophia Shaw didn’t know if Vincent Grant had actually said that, but it was a fact that he hated her.

He hadn’t even cared when she was giving birth, so why would he care about this?

"As for you, you’re just a housewife, and the only person you can rely on is an uncle whose business isn’t doing too well. What can you possibly do to me?"

Sophia Shaw’s heart turned to ice.

Young Master Judd had done his homework; he’d investigated every last detail about her.

Her uncle was already struggling to keep his company afloat, and the Shermans were constantly making trouble for him. If Young Master Judd got involved now... 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Just be a good girl and come with me. I have tons of money."

"I bet Vincent Grant hasn’t had time to screw you lately. Today, we’ll go at it in here for a day and a night!"

Young Master Judd waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, the door’s locked. You’re not getting out of here!"

Sophia Shaw steadied her nerves, knowing a physical struggle was hopeless.

She changed tactics and asked, "How much... money do you have?"

Hearing Sophia ask about money, Young Master Judd grinned smugly.

"Don’t you worry. Handbags that cost hundreds of thousands, even millions? You can buy as many as you want."

"I want it all in one lump sum."

Young Master Judd’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Sophia’s body. The closer he got, the more her scent intoxicated him, stirring his desire.

Forcing someone was completely different from having them willing. Naturally, willing was much more satisfying.

For a body like Sophia’s, he was more than happy to pay a lump sum.

"How much do you want?"

Sophia took out her phone and slowly typed in a number.

Young Master Judd leaned over to look. "Let’s see... thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions, ten million... Holy shit, you’re one greedy woman—AARGH!"

In a flash, Sophia grabbed a pen that had fallen into the seat and viciously stabbed it into his neck!

Young Master Judd’s attention was completely focused on the number on her screen; he never expected her to pull a stunt like this.

The tip of the pen struck him precisely in the nape of the neck, making him shriek in pain like a butchered hog.

Young Master Judd stumbled back, yanking the pen out, practically insane with rage.

"You bitch, you dare to stab me!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to strike Sophia.

Sophia used the space he’d created by staggering back, and before his hand could land, she lifted her leg and kicked him hard right between the legs!

Young Master Judd let out another bloodcurdling scream. His raised hand flew to his groin as he crumpled to the floor in agony.

Sophia bolted for the door, yanked it open, and leaped out, breaking into a run.

Behind her, Young Master Judd howled, "Men! Get her! She can’t get away! Damn it, why didn’t Joanna Sherman tell me this woman was so fucking ruthless!"

Joanna Sherman!

’Joanna Sherman again!’

Sophia didn’t have time to think about anything else; she just focused on getting away.

Several men came running from outside, trying to block her path.

Driven by desperation, she barreled right into them.

Seeing her reckless abandon, the men didn’t dare to get rough and could only watch as she broke through!

She didn’t stop until she reached a busy downtown street, where she finally slammed on the brakes, gasping for air.

Her back was drenched in a cold sweat, and her fingers clutched the steering wheel in a death grip.

’Did Joanna Sherman send Young Master Judd after me to stop me from competing for the position?’

’That woman is pure evil!’

Just then, her phone rang. It was Ms. Archer. "Faye, why aren’t you back yet?"

Sophia fought to suppress the turmoil and hatred churning inside her, keeping her voice steady so Ms. Archer wouldn’t notice anything was wrong. "I’m on my way back."

The incident had soured her on massage chairs, so Sophia bought her grandmother a different gift instead.

She drove back to meet up with Ms. Archer, and together, they headed to the Shaw family estate.

As the car entered the villa community where the Shaws lived, they could see her grandmother from afar, waiting by the main gate and looking around expectantly.

She spotted Sophia and hurried over, beaming.

"Grandma," Sophia called out.

"Yes, yes," her grandmother replied fondly, then turned to gently pat Bun.

Seeing that it was just the three of them, she asked, "Where’s Vincent?"

Sophia hadn’t contacted Vincent Grant at all.

’But he promised Grandma he would come, so he should show up, right?’

So Sophia said, "He’ll be here a little later."

"Oh, I see."

Her grandmother didn’t press the issue and led the three of them inside.

The photographer who had taken their pictures last time had been invited again.

Grandma had said she wanted to take group photos to show Sophia’s mother and grandfather in the future; it seemed she was serious about it.

Yancy Shaw had just taken a photo with June Evans and Chloe and was walking out, straightening his collar.

He greeted Sophia and Ms. Archer.

Sophia respectfully helped her grandmother to her seat, then knelt before her to offer birthday felicitations.

Afterward, she presented her with a small box. "Grandma, this is my gift for you."

Her grandmother opened the small box and took out a pair of Caramel Ivory Jade Bangles.

The round bangles were lustrous and translucent, their color as pure and white as mutton fat jade, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.

June Evans’s eyes lit up. "Now that’s top-quality jade! Our Faye is determined to dress Grandma up like a wealthy matriarch."

Grandma chuckled, and everyone else seemed pleased as well.

Only Ms. Archer looked at Sophia in confusion. "But I thought you were giving her a mass—"

She had seen Faye order the massage chair herself yesterday, and this morning’s trip was supposed to be for picking it up.

Sophia shook her head, not telling her what she’d just been through.

’Today is Grandma’s birthday. It should be peaceful and happy.’

Ms. Archer was a perceptive woman; though she had questions, she didn’t press the matter.

The minutes ticked by, but there was still no sign of Vincent Grant.

The photographer asked a few times when they were going to take the large group photo.

Worried her grandmother would grow anxious, Sophia had no choice but to step outside and call Vincent Grant.

She tried several times, but no one picked up.

Sophia turned and saw her grandmother peering in her direction.

Seeing her come back, her grandmother asked, "Vincent isn’t here yet?"

Sophia steadied her. "Grandma, Vincent got held up at work. He might be late. Let’s eat first; he might be here by the time we finish."

"Oh, I see." Though a little disappointed, her grandmother was understanding about Vincent’s work and headed back toward the table.

Sophia secretly sent Vincent another message, asking if he was coming.

"If you’re not coming, just let me know. Don’t make Grandma wait."

The message, like her calls, went unanswered.

Sophia’s heart sank with it.

Local custom dictated that a birthday banquet must begin before noon.

Otherwise, it was believed to "invert yin and yang," which would negatively affect the elder’s fortune.

A little after eleven o’clock, Yancy Shaw gave the order for the meal to be served.

Vincent Grant hadn’t arrived, leaving an empty seat at the table.

Grandma looked at the empty seat, and the smile on her face dimmed considerably.

Sophia lowered her head, filled with guilt.

’If only I had found a better man, Grandma wouldn’t be having such a disappointing birthday banquet.’

A piece of meat was placed in her bowl.

Sophia looked up to meet Yancy Shaw’s concerned gaze.

"Eat up," he said gently. He knew what she was thinking and shook his head. "It’s not your fault."

June Evans quickly jumped in to smooth things over. "Today is Grandma’s birthday! Faye, hurry and propose a toast to Grandma."

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Sophia raised her glass. "Grandma, may your good fortune be as deep as the ocean and your life as long as the mountains!"

"I don’t need to live that long," her grandmother said. "I’ll be content to live to one hundred and see Chloe and Bun all grown up."

She looked from her granddaughter to her great-granddaughter, completely satisfied.

"Hear, hear! Let’s toast to Mom living to be a hundred!" June Evans raised her glass. "The year Mom turns one hundred, Chloe and Bun will be exactly twenty. We’ll throw a huge joint celebration for all three of you!"

"Oh, you," her grandmother said, gently poking June Evans on the forehead, her smile so wide her eyes nearly disappeared.

Still, she replied, "Alright."

June’s playful banter finally dispelled the earlier gloom.

Ms. Archer also chose a good moment to propose a toast, offering her own auspicious wishes.

As they ate, they started planning how they would celebrate Chloe and Bun’s twentieth birthdays alongside their grandmother’s one-hundredth in twenty years.

Their table filled with creative ideas and peals of laughter.

Just then, several men in flat-topped caps walked in.

"Who is Yancy Shaw?"

Seeing the men who had suddenly appeared, Sophia felt her heart give an inexplicable lurch.

Yancy Shaw was just as confused, but he rose from his seat and strode over to them. "I am. Can I help you?"

The men glanced at the family dinner, noting the elderly woman at the table. Seeming to understand the situation, one of them said, "Let’s talk outside."