"Grandma!" Sophia Shaw strode in.

Her gentle face was covered in sweat, her breathing was hurried, and her eyes darted around the room.

When she saw Old Mrs. Grant sitting down, she rushed over. "Are you all right?"

"I’m fine." Old Mrs. Grant looked at Sophia, surprised.

They were disciplining someone at home tonight, and she hadn’t called Sophia because she didn’t want to upset her.

"What are you doing here?"

Sophia glanced in Jack Holloway’s direction.

It was Jack Holloway who had called her, telling her to come check on Old Mrs. Grant.

She had assumed Old Mrs. Grant was sick and had rushed all the way here.

Jack Holloway guiltily lowered his gaze, then looked at Vincent Grant. "Miss Shaw, President Grant was framed."

The Grants wouldn’t listen to him, but they would definitely listen to Sophia!

"You called before and asked if President Grant had hired someone to investigate Mr. Shaw. That wasn’t the case. I acted on my own and was talking nonsense."

Sophia finally noticed Vincent Grant.

The refined, noble-looking man was now kneeling on the floor, supporting himself with his hands, cutting a pathetic figure.

Julian Grant still held a cane in his hand.

Though his clothes covered his body, it was clear from his condition that he had already taken quite a few hits.

Sophia averted her gaze from Vincent, her clear eyes locking onto Jack Holloway. "So?"

"So?"

Jack Holloway looked at Sophia, confused.

’The reason I called her over was perfectly clear. What does she mean by asking ’So?’’

Jack Holloway still said, "I’ll take responsibility for my own mistake. Miss Shaw, please don’t blame President Grant. Don’t keep getting him beaten."

That phrase—"keep getting him beaten"—nailed Sophia to a pillar of shame.

As if she were constantly running to the Grants to complain.

Sophia pursed her lips.

"The fact that a mere assistant like you dared to go over his head and decide what kind of reply to give me just proves you know I’m worthless in his heart, doesn’t it?"

"Why should I plead for a man who looks down on me?"

She wasn’t a saint; she couldn’t repay resentment with kindness.

"Well said!" Shane Grant clapped, loving the drama.

"Shane!" Miles Grant said softly.

Vincent was his younger brother; of course he didn’t want to see him beaten.

Shane cocked his head. "Is our sister-in-law wrong? If Vincent actually cared about her, would she be so easily bullied by any random nobody?"

Miles knew Shane had always been stubborn and couldn’t be reasoned with, so he could only nudge Eleanor Crawford.

Eleanor was kind-hearted and well-liked by Old Mrs. Grant and Julian Grant. If she spoke up, the two elders would at least listen a little.

But Eleanor remained silent and motionless.

She couldn’t voice the grievances filling her heart, but she didn’t want to stop Sophia.

Miles: "..."

Finally, he had no choice but to look at Lena Grant. "Lynn, you’re his older sister. You can’t just let our brother keep getting beaten like this. We can talk things out. Hurry and persuade Grandma and Dad."

Lena looked at Vincent, then at Sophia. "I don’t know how things between them got to this point, and I don’t even know why Vincent is being beaten. But I remember that whenever he was beaten before, Sophia would always throw herself in front of him to shield him, no matter what."

"Now, she won’t even spare him a second glance. It must be because Vincent has completely broken her heart."

"Big Brother, you want me to plead for him, but how can I? If I did, wouldn’t it look like our Grant family is bullying her?"

Miles: "..."

’These younger siblings are getting so difficult to handle.’

Seeing how reasonable the Grants were being, Sophia was deeply moved, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She knelt down beside him.

"I am also at fault for the turmoil in the Grant family. I am willing to be punished alongside Vincent!"

She wasn’t pleading for mercy.

She was admitting guilt!

Vincent turned his head to look at the woman kneeling beside him.

Her lips were pressed tightly together, her gentle face colored with a determination he had never seen before.

’After all our years of marriage, I never knew she had such a fiery side!’

How could Old Mrs. Grant bear to let Sophia be beaten? Her eyes red, she walked over to help her up. "Silly child, any turmoil in the Grant family has nothing to do with you. It’s Vincent who is a disappointment. What punishment should you receive!"

"Grandma," Sophia said softly, feeling too ashamed to face Old Mrs. Grant. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Old Mrs. Grant stroked her face with pity.

"If your grandmother hadn’t had that accident, and Eleanor hadn’t happened to find out and tell me, I would never have known how much your family has been wronged."

"It’s our fault for failing to raise our son properly, allowing Vincent to let those scoundrels bully you!"

Old Mrs. Grant shot Vincent a harsh glare. "A child of the Grant family must be taught a lesson when they need one!"

"What are you standing around for? Continue the beating!"

"Grandma!" Miles cried out softly.

"Big Brother." Vincent stopped Miles. "Since Grandma and Father have decided I am guilty, then let them beat me."

Miles: "..."

After the beating was over, Vincent hadn’t collapsed, but anyone could see he was barely holding himself together.

Only when it was finished did he look weakly at Sophia.

He offered her a rare, faint smile. "Feeling a little better now?"

There was no hint of petulance in Vincent’s words; he was genuinely asking her.

’Sophia was right. The fact that Jack Holloway dared to misrepresent his intentions was a sign of my own poor management.’

Sophia remained silent.

’Better? How could I feel better?’

’Him taking a beating can’t turn back time. The harm done to my grandmother can’t be undone.’

’It doesn’t help at all.’

But the Grants had already given her so much face, so she didn’t want to cause any more trouble.

Sophia slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Old Mrs. Grant and Julian Grant. "I’m sorry, Grandma. I’m sorry, Dad. We juniors were insensible and have caused you so much trouble."

"Oh, Faye..."

Old Mrs. Grant took two steps toward Sophia, then suddenly turned her face away.

She was crying.

Having lived a life through a hail of bullets, Old Mrs. Grant had long ago forged a heart of iron.

But she owed Sophia too much. She was filled with guilt.

"We are the ones who have wronged you. Back then..."

Back then, she had been selfish. Wanting to help Vincent, she had discussed with the Old Master having Sophia marry him.

With Sophia’s abilities, if she hadn’t married Vincent, her life would certainly be much better than it was now.

She wouldn’t have had to endure so many frustrating years.

Sophia understood what she meant and shook her head.

The Grants hadn’t known her true identity back then. Besides, she was the one who had agreed in the end; the Grants hadn’t forced her.

It was the path she had chosen. Even if it was the wrong one, it was her own to bear.

"Faye."

The more reasonable Sophia was, the more upset Old Mrs. Grant became.

’Such a wonderful granddaughter-in-law, and now I’m going to lose her.’

Julian Grant looked deeply at Sophia.

Although he rarely interacted with Sophia due to his status, the magnanimity she displayed today was no less than that of any man.

’What a pity. Vincent is about to lose such a good wife.’

Miles and Eleanor also knew about the impending divorce. They both shook their heads in silence, feeling sorry for Vincent.

Only Vincent smiled.

He extended a hand to Sophia. "The beating’s over. Can you help me to my room to rest?"

’No matter how big the fight, a husband and wife are still a husband and wife.’

Sophia ignored Vincent’s hand and spoke, "Grandma, Dad, Big Brother, Third Sister, Fourth Brother, I’m leaving."

She lifted her foot and walked past him, heading out.

Vincent: "..."

’Is Sophia’s temper getting worse?’

"President Grant." Jack Holloway ran over and helped him up.

The Grants couldn’t be bothered with them and dispersed.

Vincent had been beaten severely. His back was covered in wounds, and blood slowly seeped through his clothes.

The back of his white shirt was dotted with specks of blood.

Even so, he didn’t let Jack Holloway support him for long before shrugging him off.

Watching Sophia’s retreating figure, he pulled out a cigarette, leaned against the wall, and started to smoke.

With his other hand, he took out his phone and called Shane Grant.