Chapter 24
The atmosphere became awkward.
Of course, the awkward ones were the Williams family.
Evelyn and Andrew exchanged glances, looking at Sophie with newfound respect.
She looked pretty, and they'd thought she was just a pretty face, but that wasn't the case at all.
The Brown family might not match up to the Moore family, but they weren't some nobody family either. The daughter they raised could hold her own.
Harold couldn't hold back anymore. He glared at Sophie angrily, "Sophie, now that you've climbed up the social ladder, you're putting on airs with me?"
"The Williams family really doesn't know how to raise their kids properly," Matthew suddenly spoke up. "Talking to elders like that - back in the day, that would've earned you a beating."
"You..."
"Shut up!" Brian scolded Harold. "Where are your manners?"
Harold was so angry his teeth were grinding, but there was nothing he could do.
"We've spoiled him since he was little, so he's got a wild streak," Brian said with an apologetic smile. "Don't worry, I'll definitely straighten him out when we get home."
"Mr. Williams, I don't understand what you're here for today," Matthew said, crossing his legs just like his father - the posture of someone in control.
Brian glanced at Sophie and cleared his throat. "We're here today hoping that, considering our families were related way back, you could show some mercy and let this go."
Matthew looked at him coolly. "A few words can erase everything that happened before?"
Brian was a businessman after all. He wasn't stupid.
He'd originally planned to play the family card to get them to let the Williams family off the hook. But clearly, that card wasn't working.
"You little punk, apologize to Sophie right now!" Brian scolded Harold.
Harold's eyes went wide, his face full of disbelief.
"What are you standing there for?" Brian smacked Harold on the head and warned him through gritted teeth, "If you don't wise up, don't expect another penny from me!"
Harold felt humiliated.
Especially being humiliated like this in front of Matthew and Sophie - he was burning with anger, but could only grit his teeth and take it.
"Sorry," Harold said, his tone full of resentment.
Matthew's eyes were indifferent.
Sophie lowered her head, playing with her fingers.
Brian looked toward Andrew and Evelyn, who'd been silent the whole time. They still said nothing.
Clearly, they weren't satisfied with this apology.
"Speak louder," Brian slapped Harold again. "Apologize!"
Harold clenched his fists, his eyes turning red.
He stared viciously at Sophie, his voice hoarse with anger and unwillingness, "Sophie, I'm sorry!"
Sophie felt her scalp tighten at his shout.
This time, she had to look up.
Seeing Harold forced to this point, his eyes red with rage, Sophie felt a bit scared.
She was still thinking about how to respond when she heard Matthew's voice.
"Ha." Matthew gave a cold laugh. "If you're this unwilling, forget it."
Harold glared fiercely at Matthew.
Matthew remained unmoved, his deep eyes staring straight at him.
In this battle of stares, Harold was the first to back down.
"Forget it," Andrew finally spoke. "We're all relatives when you trace it back. The kid knows he was wrong - as elders, a scolding is enough."
Harold's face never looked pleasant.
"Yes, yes, yes." Seeing Andrew offer a way out, Brian quickly nodded in agreement. "Matthew and sister-in-law are generous people, don't hold it against this punk. We're all family, no need to hurt feelings."
Matthew's tone was cold. "I can see the Williams family really dotes on Harold. But if he doesn't rein in this attitude and get properly educated, he'll probably cause more trouble for the Williams family later. When he offends someone else, they might not be as easy to talk to as we are today."
Brian's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled and nodded. "You're right. This time, we really need to educate him properly."
Matthew didn't want to deal with these people anymore.
He turned to Sophie. "Do you have anything else to say?"
After all, they'd caused her trouble - if she wasn't satisfied, they could continue.
Sophie shook her head. "No."
She knew when to stop.
She also believed that after this, the Williams family would keep Harold in check.
"Thank you, thank you." Brian breathed a sigh of relief. "We've really disturbed you today, sorry about that."
Just then, a servant from the kitchen walked over to Evelyn and said in a moderate voice, "Mrs. Moore, lunch is ready."
Evelyn nodded.
Seeing this, Brian stood up and quickly said, "We'll be going then. We'll come visit again in a few days."
Evelyn stood up with a gentle smile. "Why not stay for a simple meal?"
"No, no." Brian said while backing toward the door. "Don't trouble yourself. Merry Christmas!"
Evelyn only made a token effort to keep them, but stood up to see them to the door.
After they got in the car, Evelyn dropped her smile and turned back inside.
In the car, Harold's fists made crisp sounds as he clenched them, full of anger with nowhere to vent.
"Never been this humiliated before," Mr. Williams also had a dark expression.
Grace gently held her son's hand, trying to reason with Harold. "That woman's no good - you can tell she's a flirt just by looking at her. She says she married someone else after seeing you with another woman, but who knows if she wasn't already hooking up with Matthew first?"
"She married Matthew mostly for the money. Matthew's got one foot in the grave, doesn't have much time left. Isn't the Moore family just rushing to find a woman to give him an heir?"
Grace snorted. "Acting so high and mighty now - once Matthew dies and the Moore family has no heir, let's see what those two have to look down on people with."
"Once Matthew dies, I'll make Sophie kneel at my crotch!" Harold said, nearly grinding his teeth to dust with hatred.
Because of the Williams family, Sophie felt a bit embarrassed facing Andrew and Evelyn.
With things on her mind, she wasn't very focused on eating.
"Sophie, is the food not to your taste?" Evelyn asked.
"No, not at all," Sophie quickly said, "Your cooking is delicious."
Evelyn smiled. "Don't overthink it."
Sophie bit her lip. They were so perceptive. How could they not see what she was thinking?
"I'm sorry," Sophie apologized sincerely. "I've caused you trouble."
Andrew glanced at her. "It's not your fault - it's that Williams kid who has no morals. Us protecting you, Matthew protecting you. It's all as it should be."
Sophie's eyes suddenly welled up. She gripped her chopsticks tightly, head down. "Thank you."
Since her mother died and her father remarried, she hadn't known what it felt like to be protected.
This family had only known her for a short time, and they weren't that close, but at a time like this, they gave her a complete sense of security.
Matthew glanced at Sophie. Her eyes were moist.
"We're all family, don't be so formal," Evelyn put food on her plate. "If you run into any trouble in the future, tell Matthew, or tell us. Most importantly, never put yourself in danger."
Sophie held back her tears and nodded with a smile. "I understand."