Chapter 390

Chapter 390

"Insane. Absolutely insane."

Valeria couldn't believe Mason had actually started reflecting on the situation thanks to Alice's influence.

"That Alice must be some kind of witch or something. First she corrupts Arthur, and now she's got you two under her spell? If she really marries Michael, the Miller family is done for. I'm telling you right now—I'm not going back abroad to settle down. I'm staying with the Miller family to guard this house and protect the family legacy!"

Mason wasn't listening to a word Valeria said. He'd already made up his mind not to tell her that Arthur was actually Rhea's son. He and Michael had agreed not to let Arthur know about his origins yet—they'd wait until he was older. If he told Valeria now, she'd probably turn around and tell Arthur immediately.

Mason didn't want to waste another breath on her. He turned and walked away without hesitation.

Valeria screamed after him, but he didn't look back.

"You're all something else! Treating me like this for some outsider! You'll regret it—mark my words. One day I'll prove I was right. I'm the only sane one left in the Miller family!"

"Bastards! Every single one of you!"

Valeria cursed until her voice suddenly went hoarse. She started coughing, thinking she'd wheel herself over to get some water, when someone appeared at her side and handed her a glass. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

She turned to see Sophia, all smiles.

"Valeria, your voice is hoarse. Here, have some water." Sophia's smile was sickeningly sweet.

Valeria recovered from her fright, her gaze slowly dropping to the glass in Sophia's hand. The next second, she slapped it away. The glass shattered on the floor. Sophia's eyes went wide—she had no idea what she'd done wrong or why she'd just walked straight into Valeria's rage.

Water and broken glass spread across the floor.

Sophia stared at the shards, at a complete loss. "Valeria, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Valeria let out a cold laugh, her glare cutting into Sophia like a blade. "You walk around without making a sound? Don't you know I have a heart condition? Are you trying to scare me to death to get revenge for your sister Alice?"

After being dressed down like that, Sophia felt nothing but aggrieved. How was it her fault for walking quietly? Valeria had been so busy cursing everyone out that she hadn't noticed someone approaching. And somehow that was Sophia's problem?

Still, Sophia had to bow her head and apologize. "Valeria, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'll be more careful. And I really wasn't trying to help Alice get revenge on you. She and I—"

"Your relationship with her isn't as good as I thought, right?" Valeria cut her off.

"Huh?" Sophia froze. How did this old woman just say what she was about to say?

"You think I don't know what goes on in the Baker family? You took Alice's place for all those years—of course she hates you. You came over here to butter me up because you want to use me against Alice. You think I can't see through that? Think I'm too old and confused?"

Valeria looked at Sophia with contempt. "The Baker family really is rotten to the core. Even if you're not related by blood, you lived there for over twenty years—there's no way you're a good person."

After being scolded like that, Sophia didn't know what to say. Her mouth opened and closed, but she couldn't get out a single word in her defense.

Whether she spoke or stayed silent, she was wrong either way.

Valeria twisted the knife. "What, cat got your tongue?"

Sophia forced out a stiff smile, anger building in her chest—but she didn't dare let it show. "Valeria, I really just saw you were thirsty and wanted to give you water. That's it. Just water. How does that count as sucking up? If I wanted to butter you up, I wouldn't use such a cheap tactic. That would show zero sincerity."

Sophia's refusal to make excuses actually made Valeria feel a bit better, though she still wasn't about to give her a kind word. "Hmph. At least you know your place. But don't think that just because I hate Alice, I'll like you. I know exactly what you're scheming."

"You're only twenty years old and you're willing to marry Beck because you need him as your backer. After all, you're just a fake heiress with no place left in the Baker family. Am I wrong?"

Sophia's expression darkened. She didn't dare argue, but she couldn't admit it either.

Valeria was satisfied by her cornered silence. "Don't think that just because you married into the Miller family, you're set for life. Marriages can end in divorce. If you turn out like that Alice, or if you're hiding some other agenda, kicking you out of the Miller family would only take one word from me."

Oh really?

Because it doesn't seem like Mason or Michael listen to a single thing you say.

Sophia kept her sarcastic thoughts to herself.

She'd come to serve Valeria tea and water with the intention of buttering her up, of course. She didn't expect such a small gesture would make Valeria think she was sweet and obedient, much less make her actually like her.

She just wanted an opportunity to get closer to Valeria.

But she hadn't expected Valeria wouldn't bite at all. Not only had she failed to win her over, she'd gotten a face full of rejection. What rotten luck.

In the end, Valeria looked down on her background. No—that wasn't quite right. Valeria already looked down on the Baker family's status, and on top of that, she was a fake heiress. The only silver lining was that she'd married Beck and registered the marriage before this harridan came back to the country.

Otherwise, who knows what the harridan would've done.

Sophia comforted herself with that thought, and felt a bit better. After all, Valeria wasn't Olivia—she wasn't so easy to fool. If Sophia was determined to win over this harridan, she'd have to put in real work.

"What are you thinking about? Did my few words hurt your feelings?" Valeria snapped.

"No, no!" Sophia quickly denied it. "Valeria, I was just carefully listening to your guidance, telling myself to remember it and not disappoint you. From now on, I'll be a proper wife to Beck and won't give you any reason to worry or be disappointed."

Valeria snorted dismissively. "You'd better make sure that's true. Don't say one thing and do another."

"I won't!"

Sophia promised enthusiastically.

She wanted to say more, but then...