Chapter 7: Humiliated in Public by His White Moonlight Editor: Henyee Translations

Vincent Grant and his group stayed together, accompanying Joanna Sherman to the beach.

A few moments later, Joanna Sherman appeared on the water’s surface in a swimsuit. Standing on a teal-colored surfboard, she was like an agile fish leaping through the spray.

Cedric Grant stared, his eyes wide with overwhelming admiration. "Auntie Joanna is so amazing! She can build rockets and surf!"

Several people who tried to compete with Joanna Sherman were left far in her wake.

This was an international club, after all. The people competing against her were all award-winners.

Cedric Grant’s attention only returned after Joanna Sherman finished surfing. He recalled running into Sophia Shaw at dinner and how her expression had been grim.

Cedric Grant couldn’t help but sigh. His mom spent every day revolving around him, watching his every move. It would be great if she could learn from Auntie Joanna.

Auntie Joanna loves to learn and exercise. She isn’t like Mom, whose body is just getting more and more out of shape.

He had reminded her once, but she just joked that she was pregnant with a little sister for him.

Cedric Grant felt that Sophia Shaw was a lost cause. But she was his mother, after all. He still gave Sophia Shaw a call.

When Cedric Grant’s call came in, Sophia Shaw had just washed her hands and was preparing to feed Bun.

Normally, she would have dropped everything to answer his call, no matter how busy she was.

But not this time.

Instead, she prepared the formula and waited for Bun to start drinking before she picked up her phone.

"Mom, what took you so long to answer?" Cedric Grant, having never waited this long, was already impatient.

Sophia Shaw didn’t coddle him. "Is there something you need?"

Cedric Grant then remembered he was calling to apologize. "Mom, I’m sorry," he said. "I shouldn’t have skipped the meal you made."

"Mm," Sophia Shaw replied, not wanting to discuss it further.

Cedric Grant didn’t notice the coldness in her voice. Afraid she would start nagging him again, he hurriedly hung up.

Sophia Shaw glanced at her phone, her lips tightening slightly.

Worried that Vincent Grant wasn’t home and that Cedric Grant might not be safe alone, she thought for a moment before pulling up the security feed for the living room.

On the feed, Cedric Grant was indeed home alone. However, he was on a video call. Sophia Shaw zoomed in and saw Joanna Sherman and her daughter on the screen.

He had rushed to hang up on her after a single sentence, but now he was chatting enthusiastically with Joanna Sherman and her daughter, his face lit up with excitement.

More than ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye, and he showed no intention of ending the call.

Sophia Shaw shook her head, turned off the feed, and carried Bun to bed.

Freed from the need to wake up early, Sophia Shaw’s quality of sleep was excellent.

In the morning, she handed Bun over to Ms. Archer and headed to the office, full of energy.

She had just sat down in her chair when Jenna Judd came over and tossed a phone on her desk. "What is this garbage you’ve made!"

Sophia Shaw looked down and saw the video she had uploaded yesterday on the phone’s screen. "What’s wrong?"

"You have the nerve to ask what’s wrong?" Jenna Judd already looked down on Sophia because her rank was higher, and she was still fuming after President Grant had rejected her interview request.

She didn’t mince her words. "You didn’t even interview President Grant, and you’re just spouting nonsense. Outsiders won’t know this is his digital avatar; they’ll think it’s really him.

"You know nothing about building rockets. An expert will spot the flaws in an instant. What happens when people start saying President Grant is unprofessional? How are you going to fix that?

"Sophia Shaw, can’t you use your brain for once?"

"Jenna Judd, watch your mouth!" Timothy Morgan walked over and bluntly criticized her. "Sophia Shaw is your senior. Don’t you know how to show respect? Besides, Sophia has her reasons for doing things. It’s not your place to stand here and criticize her."

The video Sophia made was high-quality. In just one night, it had garnered millions of views, and the numbers were still climbing.

Timothy Morgan laid the data out in front of Jenna Judd. "Look, this one video Sophia made has outperformed ten of your on-screen appearances combined. This video has even driven up sales for the company’s other products. If only you were half as dedicated as she is!"

Jenna Judd didn’t dare talk back to Timothy Morgan and just stood there, letting him lecture her.

Only after a thorough scolding did he let Jenna Judd go.

Timothy Morgan knew perfectly well that Jenna Judd only dared to look down on Sophia because she had been stagnant in her career for five years.

"Sophia, don’t be discouraged," Timothy said. "I’ve nominated you for this year’s employee of the year award. Putting everything else aside, no one can compete with your performance numbers."

Sophia Shaw’s eyes lit up.

It wasn’t that she was without ambition; she wanted to win this award to wash away the shame of five years of stagnation.

It would be the best farewell gift she could receive before leaving the company.

The company’s annual gala was scheduled for the last day of December.

Just like in previous years, Sophia Shaw meticulously inspected every detail of the venue’s decorations.

She was busy from morning until afternoon, without even a sip of water. Still, she managed to find time for a video call with Bun. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The gala began.

As expected, Vincent Grant and Joanna Sherman made their entrance together.

Vincent Grant was in a black suit, his posture tall and ramrod straight, the very picture of elegance. Joanna Sherman wore a matching suit-style evening gown, looking noble, cool, and stunning.

As they walked, the lace hem of her skirt kept tangling with Vincent Grant’s pant legs in an intimate and suggestive dance.

Sophia Shaw had long since accepted the reality of them being together. She stood quietly to one side, applauding their arrival along with everyone else.

Joanna Sherman paused for a fraction of a second as she passed by her. Whether intentionally or not, the cameras focused on the two of them.

Joanna Sherman’s noble and radiant aura completely overshadowed Sophia, making her seem drab and colorless in comparison.

She gave a slight tug at her gown, and Vincent Grant immediately bent down to arrange its long train.

His half-kneeling posture looked like a prince proposing to a princess.

Vincent Grant’s eyes were filled with only Joanna Sherman; he didn’t spare a single glance for Sophia Shaw, who was standing right there.

Cedric Grant, who was a few steps behind, darted over, and the father and son worked together to straighten Joanna Sherman’s gown.

Sophia Shaw looked down at the father and son.

Identical faces, identical expressions of concentration.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, all marveling at how Joanna Sherman was being doted on by the two most handsome guys in the room.

Once it was arranged, Cedric Grant simply lifted the hem for Joanna Sherman. "Now you won’t trip!"

Sophia Shaw remembered the many times she had tripped on her own long skirts while going up the stairs.

Each time, Cedric Grant would just watch her in silent irritation, never once offering to help. It got to the point where she stopped wearing skirts that fell past her ankles altogether.

In the end, I’m just not worthy, she thought.

Cedric Grant looked up and saw Sophia Shaw. A flicker of astonishment crossed his handsome face. His fingers, clutching the gown, loosened slightly. He pressed his lips together, at a loss for what to do.

Sophia Shaw turned and walked away, giving Cedric Grant an easy way out of the awkward situation.

As the gala began, Jenna Judd took the stage as the host to warm up the crowd.

With nothing else to do, Sophia Shaw retreated to a quiet corner. She had just picked up a glass of orange juice when she saw Cedric Grant by a wall, looking conflicted. "How did I not notice Mom was there?" he muttered, tapping the wall. "She saw me helping Auntie Joanna with her gown.

"Mom doesn’t like Auntie Joanna, so she’s going to chew her out again later. Ugh, poor Auntie Joanna, getting dragged into this because of me."

The sweet juice in Sophia Shaw’s mouth suddenly tasted bitter. She had thought Cedric Grant might be a little worried that she was upset, but apparently not.

Finally, the most exciting part of the evening arrived.

The announcement of the employees of the year.

The final award was: Most Valuable Employee.

Timothy Morgan gave her a gentle nudge. Sophia Shaw saw Vincent Grant hand the honor of announcing the winner to Joanna Sherman.

Only the most important person in the company is qualified to read that list, Sophia thought. It seems Vincent has already placed Joanna in the highest position.

Although the thought of Joanna Sherman presenting her with the award was sickening, she had earned it.

So, Sophia Shaw strode confidently toward the stage.

Joanna Sherman waited until Sophia was halfway to the stage, then her red lips parted to announce the name, "Jenna Judd!"