Chapter 15

These caring words made Sophia's nose tingle.

She didn't know what was wrong with her lately - she'd become so emotional. The slightest bit of concern from anyone would make her nose sting and her eyes well up.

It was kind of embarrassing.

Sophia cleared her throat: "I'm fine, just been really busy lately. Once I get through this phase, everything will be better."

"Fine? You think I can't tell?" Indigo sighed. "Is it because of that, Alice? Has Benjamin made you feel bad again?"

Sophia opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

Just then, there was a commotion at the door. The servant went to greet them and ushered Benjamin in.

Alice was following behind him.

For a moment, Sophia really wanted to ask Alice: Didn't you say, "If you don't like it, I'll leave and never appear in front of you again"? So why are you still around Benjamin every single day?

Sophia just thought it, but didn't say it out loud.

No point.

Indigo's face showed some displeasure: "Benjamin, this is a family dinner. Why did you bring her?"

Before Benjamin could speak, Alice quickly stepped forward, taking Indigo's hand with a smile: "Indigo, I came with Benjamin. You wouldn't welcome me, would you?"

Indigo replied politely: "If you came any other time, I'd certainly welcome you, but today... Everyone here is from the White family."

Clearly, Alice wasn't part of the White family - or at least, not in Indigo's eyes.

The smile on Alice's face froze.

But Dahlia suddenly emerged from the kitchen, her face full of enthusiasm: "Alice is here! Come in and sit down!"

"Grandma, you can't make her leave. Alice is my good friend, she IS part of the White family!" As she spoke, Dahlia shot Sophia a fierce glare.

Then Dahlia pulled Alice's hand and walked inside, saying as they went: "My grandma is old, she has some old-fashioned ideas. Don't take it personally."

Alice smiled and shook her head: "I won't."

Benjamin stood there, his gaze falling on Sophia.

In previous years, when coming here, she would always dress up carefully, but today she just casually wore a T-shirt and jeans, very casual.

Casual usually meant not caring.

Thinking this, Benjamin's heart trembled slightly, but soon he found himself an excuse.

No, how could she not care? If she really didn't care, she wouldn't have come today.

So, was this another tactic to get his attention?

"Why is everyone standing? Sit down." Indigo spoke up. "Sophia, sit next to me. Let's have a good chat."

Sophia helped Indigo sit down. She was about to sit beside her when Indigo gestured for Benjamin to sit next to her.

"You're husband and wife, why sit so far apart?"

Benjamin said nothing and silently sat down next to Sophia.

This instantly made Sophia uncomfortable.

"Where's Harry? Why didn't he come?"

"He wasn't feeling well a few days ago, so I didn't want him to go through the trouble. He's at home with the nanny."

Dahlia watched this scene and let out a cold laugh, saying sarcastically, "Grandma, what are you doing? Can't you see Benjamin doesn't want to?"

"Dahlia, say less." Indigo glared at Dahlia, then turned to look at Sophia, patting her hand: "Sophia, how's work lately? Are you tired?"

Sophia snapped back to attention and forced a smile: "It's okay, not tired."

"That's good." Indigo patted her hand. "It's good for young people to have their own careers. I support you."

On the opposite couch, Dahlia was talking to Alice, her voice just loud enough for everyone present to hear.

"Alice, I saw that design portfolio of yours last time - it was absolutely beautiful! You're simply a genius! I heard your designs were even featured in a fashion magazine?"

Alice covered her mouth and laughed, saying modestly, "Just lucky."

"What luck - that's talent!" Dahlia said, deliberately glancing at Sophia. "Unlike some people who stayed home for five years doing nothing, and now suddenly go out to work."

"Who knows if they actually have any skills, or if they're just out there embarrassing themselves."

Sophia kept her eyes down, as if she hadn't heard.

Indigo's face darkened: "Dahlia!"

"Grandma, I'm just telling the truth." Dahlia pouted. "People from the White family going out to work in public - it doesn't look good. People who don't know might think our family went bankrupt and can't even support one person."

"Enough." Benjamin suddenly spoke, his voice low.

Dahlia froze. Seeing his expression wasn't good, she didn't dare say more, just muttered something under her breath.

Sophia still said nothing.

She just kept her head down, looking at the pattern on the table in front of her, silently counting the time in her mind.

Soon, other members of the White family arrived one after another.

Benjamin's uncle, his several siblings, including his cousin Ethan White, who had just returned from abroad.

Ethan was a twenty-year-old young man, wearing designer streetwear and sunglasses. As soon as he entered, he enthusiastically greeted everyone.

"Grandma! I'm back!"

Indigo smiled and waved: "Ethan, come here and let me see if you've lost weight."

Ethan walked over and hugged Indigo. When his gaze swept over Sophia, he paused.

"Sophia, long time no see."

Sophia nodded: "Long time no see."

Ethan smiled and didn't say more. He turned to look at Alice, his eyes lighting up.

"Is this... Alice? You're back too!"

Alice stood up, smiling and extending her hand: "Ethan, long time no see."

Ethan grabbed her hand, very enthusiastically: "Alice, you're getting more and more beautiful! I still remember when you came to play at my house as a kid. Even then, I thought you were pretty, but now you're even prettier!"

Alice's face flushed from the compliment, and she laughed behind her hand: "You're still such a smooth talker."

What followed was Alice's time to be praised. She was familiar with everyone in the White family, and everyone liked her very much.

All their topics revolved around her.

Sophia became the one excluded - though even if Alice hadn't come, she would still be a marginal figure.

Although others didn't display their dislike and contempt for Sophia as openly as Dahlia did, they had no fondness for her either.

She sat there, as if isolated in another world.

Indigo noticed her discomfort, squeezed her hand, and said softly: "Sophia, don't take it to heart."

Sophia shook her head and said quietly, "Grandma, I'm fine."

She really was fine. She had long stopped caring about what these people thought of her.

She just felt bored, that's all.

"Grandma, I'll go to the kitchen and see if I can help."