Chapter 16
Sophia's words caused quite a stir. Grace couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes: "Sophia, what do you mean? You know her?"
Sophia pointed at me and nodded with certainty: "I've seen her. Two years ago, Gregory and I saw her at Solstice. She had a bunch of men around her. She's the one who beat Gregory so badly that his hand was fractured. It still hurts when it rains."
Amid the gasps around us, I smiled faintly at Sophia: "What are you talking about? I don't remember anything like that."
Sophia frowned at me, her eyes full of disgust: "Stop lying. I recognize your back and that rose tattoo on your chest. Don't even try to deny it. Mr. Robert Lopez is definitely connected to the local gangs. Even reporting to the police didn't help. A woman with such a shady background should be handed over to the police immediately. How could she possibly be accepted by the Lopez family?"
Robert glanced at me, then turned to glare at Sophia: "Sophia, today is the welcome party I'm throwing for Oscar."
This statement already carried a warning.
But Sophia seemed oblivious: "Mr. Robert Lopez, I know Mr. Oscar Lopez's return is a big deal, but what I'm saying is important too. He's your son, and we're all happy he's back, but she really has a shady background. In a place like Solstice, there's so much crime. And you don't know what those men around her looked like - they were scary. So she definitely has problems."
"Shut up." Robert scolded with a frown, his hunched back trembling with anger. He looked at Isabella Brown: "Your daughter - she can't manage her own family affairs, yet she's meddling in the Lopez family's business?"
Sophia wanted to say more, but Isabella quickly stepped forward and grabbed her hand, wearing a flattering smile: "Mr. Lopez, don't be angry. She's young and speaks without thinking. Apologize to Ms. Wilson now."
Sophia looked at me, still wary, but I smiled graciously at everyone: "No need for an apology. Sophia must have mistaken me for someone else. Mr. Lopez, don't be angry. I won't argue with someone younger."
Robert nodded approvingly and turned to Grace: "Take good care of Emily. Have someone prepare - I'm going to announce Oscar's return publicly."
Grace smiled and nodded: "Okay, Dad. Don't worry, I'll take good care of the guests."
I suddenly felt glad about my decision to pretend to be Oscar's fiancée. Originally, I had to be careful around her, but now I've become someone she needed to treat politely. This shift in status secretly pleased me.
"Mrs. Lopez, it looks like you manage the household very well. I'll probably have a lot to learn from you in the future. I hope you won't hold back." I said to Grace cheerfully.
Grace's smile was no longer as perfect as before, but she still tried to maintain her composure: "You're not married to Oscar yet. Let's talk about the future when it comes."
When no one was paying attention, Sophia came up to me again and asked in a low, stern voice: "I'm not wrong. You're that woman from that day. What's your agenda?"
I didn't bother looking up at her. Someone who usually pretends to be weak was now showing her fangs, perhaps because she suddenly had no opponent: "What agenda could I have? If I must have one, it's to marry Oscar. But I'm also curious - you seem very concerned about the Lopez family's affairs. What's your agenda?"
Sophia was left speechless by my question: "You... The Brown Family and the Lopez Family have always had a good relationship. Of course it's special."
I nodded as if suddenly understanding: "A good relationship? You don't have a marriage arrangement with someone from the Lopez family, do you? There's no one left in the Lopez family, right?" I lowered my voice and asked gossipy: "Or does William have another son he hasn't acknowledged?"
Sophia's face looked terrible. She pulled away from me, frowning: "Don't talk nonsense. You think everyone has illegitimate children?"
Her voice wasn't quiet. As soon as she said this, she realized something was wrong and instinctively covered her mouth, but many eyes had already turned to her, making her wish she could disappear immediately.
Robert, in the distance, turned to look, his expression turning cold. Clearly, Sophia's repeated rudeness had disgusted him. Everyone present knew Oscar's identity, but saying the words "illegitimate child" so openly was like slapping him hard in the face.
"Grace, if Sophia is tired, take her home to rest," Robert said coldly.
Sophia pointed at me, somewhat aggrieved: "It wasn't me, Mr. Lopez. It was her, she said it first..."
"Grace—" Robert's tone was already impatient.
Grace quickly gave Isabella a look, and the two of them took Sophia away as quickly as possible.
I leisurely picked up a glass of red wine nearby and took a sip, feeling great. With the annoying person gone, even the air felt fresher.
The music in the room stopped. Robert walked to the center of the hall and extended his hand. Oscar followed and stood beside him.
"Everyone, you're all old friends. I'm sure you all know what today's party is about. This is a welcome party for Oscar, and also the Lopez family's recognition ceremony. This is Oscar, my younger son. He's been developing his career at Solstice before. Now that I'm getting old, I want my children around me, so the company is gradually moving back home. I hope everyone will look after my son in the future." Robert smiled, patting Oscar's shoulder.
"Congratulations, congratulations. The Novagen Group has gained another capable assistant."
"Robert, you're so lucky. Your son looks extraordinary."
Oscar smiled at everyone: "Actually, our company has been in contact with all of you before. Now that I'm back home, it'll be more convenient to do business in the future."
I looked at William behind Robert. He stood in the back, his smile like a mask. His usually authoritative eyes were now flickering, occasionally stealing glances at Oscar.
Not hard to understand - his inheritance was suddenly being split with someone who might take half of it. Naturally, he was uncomfortable, but because Robert still held the real power, he didn't dare speak up.
I'm afraid there will be a good show to watch soon.
When the banquet started, I sat beside Robert with Oscar. Sophia had returned to the scene at some point, whispering something to Gregory with her head down.
Then Sophia looked at me with undisguised disgust, then at Gregory beside her, and changed her expression to look delicate: "Gregory, I want to eat that."
Gregory came back to his senses and thoughtfully served her some food.
I smiled and asked Grace beside me: "Mrs. Lopez, is she his fiancée?"
Grace quickly waved her hand: "No, no, she's Gregory's fiancée's sister. The three of them have been close since childhood, always together. Don't mind it."
I raised my eyebrows and didn't ask more, watching as Sophia's face darkened bit by bit.
It seemed that even without me, the Lopez family members still didn't accept Sophia. After all, she was the well-known fake heiress who was always depressed and had heart problems. What wealthy family would want her?
I nodded slowly: "I see. But you should still be careful. If bad rumors get out, it won't be good for either family. After all, I heard her sister is still missing?"
Her expression paused, her hand gripping the utensils tightened, then she looked up at me with an innocent expression: "My sister isn't missing. She's probably out having fun somewhere."
"Sophia, don't talk nonsense." Gregory frowned, actually defending her openly.
Sophia looked aggrieved: "Isn't it true? On the wedding day, you just came to save me, and she ran away from home? She obviously had other ideas long ago. Only you're still foolishly looking for her."
"Shut up." Gregory's voice suddenly became stern. "Emma isn't that kind of person."
"You're yelling at me?" Sophia's eyes instantly turned red. She bit her lower lip, looking aggrieved, got up, and ran away.
Gregory looked in the direction she left, hesitated, but ultimately didn't chase after her. The Lopez family members who had remained silent throughout had different expressions. Only Isabella maintained an awkward smile: "Sophia is young and doesn't understand. I'll talk to her when we get back. Let's eat."
A smile curved at the corner of my mouth. I just hoped that when Sophia caused trouble again in the future, Isabella could still say, "she's just a child."