Chapter 26: Undercurrents at the Welcome Banquet
Nia was now incredibly embarrassed. An indescribable awkwardness washed over her, and who knew she would suddenly turn her attention to me.
"Sophia, I didn't mean to offend anyone today. I'm sorry, really sorry. I genuinely want to fit in with everyone. I know nobody approves of my relationship with Dax, and you all have some opinions about me, but we're truly in love, and we genuinely want to build a good life together. We..."
Before she could finish, I frowned and cut her off. "Nia, sorry, but today's family dinner is a welcome party for my parents. It's not the time to hear all this. Since Grandma has already asked you to leave, please go. There will be plenty of chances to attend family dinners in the future."
No one around dared to say a word. Everyone knew that Cleo was the most respected person in the entire Thompson family. When she spoke, anyone who dared to defy her was asking for trouble.
Even someone with Tyler's status had to be respectful when meeting Cleo.
Nia clearly didn't want to leave. Someone from a small town who had finally married into a prominent family and finally got to participate in such an occasion wouldn't leave easily.
"Sophia, I was really wrong. I didn't mean to hurt you at all. I just speak my mind, but I don't have any bad intentions. Could you please put in a good word for me?"
I wasn't foolish enough to be soft-hearted. I still answered properly, "Grandma already made herself very clear just now. None of us want to repeat ourselves. So Nia, please leave quickly. Don't make everyone unhappy. Today isn't the day for you to be willful."
The words of dismissal had been said many times. Nia pressed her thin lips together tightly. Her hands and feet trembling, she could only get up and leave.
Just as she was about to walk out of the room, she turned her head and shot me a venomous glare.
I felt helpless inside. It seemed I had made another enemy.
Although I had Cleo's support, I knew that in everyone's eyes, I was just a woman who had married up into the Thompson family, and Nia could only vent her anger at someone like me.
But I didn't care. I was too lazy to bother with people like her anymore.
After what just happened, everyone's attitude toward me naturally became more respectful. After all, Cleo was the one with real authority in the entire Thompson family.
After a while, there was a commotion outside the door. Everyone in the room except Cleo and a few elders stood up.
Tyler and his parents walked in, followed by bodyguards carrying things.
The younger generation greeted them one after another, and I also stepped forward politely and said, "Mom, Dad, you must be tired from the journey."
Tyler's mother Isla still had no pleasant expression for me. She glanced at me with disgust and said nothing.
I was already used to this attitude from her, so I felt nothing anymore.
Although Tyler's father Gray didn't like me much either, after all these years, his attitude toward me had changed from what it used to be. So he said to me, "Hello Sophia. You've worked hard taking care of the child. You've raised Jasper so well. I heard Jasper won another piano competition."
Just then, Jasper ran over happily. "Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you so much!"
Seeing Jasper, Isla and Gray were all smiles. The two of them competed to hold Jasper.
"Jasper, we missed you too. When you left a few months ago, we were so sad."
Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. Did that mean Jasper had been abroad a few months ago?
For a moment, I fell into deep thought, trying to figure out when this happened. It seemed that a few months ago, Tyler said he wanted to take Jasper abroad for a study trip. Since he attended an international school with frequent overseas study trips, I didn't think much of it.
Now that I think about it, Tyler had actually taken Jasper abroad to see Isla and Gray.
But if it was to see Isla and Gray, why couldn't he just say so? Why did he have to hide it from me?
The more I thought about it, the more something felt wrong. I remembered when Tyler and Ava were dating in college, Ava was well-liked by Isla and Gray.
If that incident hadn't happened back then, Ava might really be Tyler's wife now.
Maybe the two of them would be living very happily now.
Thinking of this, I wondered, could it be that Tyler took Ava abroad a few months ago?
While I was lost in thought, Isla said sarcastically, "Ava is still better. She's respectful when she meets elders. Look at her now, always spacing out."
Hearing this, I snapped out of my thoughts, and a trace of loneliness appeared in my eyes.
It seemed that without my knowledge, Tyler had taken Ava to see Isla and Gray quite often. In Gray and Isla's eyes, Ava was probably their ideal daughter-in-law.
Watching this scene, most of the people around were whispering quietly, and almost everyone's attention was on me.
After marrying into the Thompson family for six years, I still wasn't accepted by Isla.
I had no reaction. My eyes were desolate, and my body radiated a deathly silence, as if my soul had been taken away.
Cleo walked over slowly, leaning on her cane. I stepped forward to support her, and Cleo gave me a reassuring look. I felt warmth in my heart.
"Sophia is the person I've chosen. Isla, what do you mean by bringing up that Ava? Teaching your son to do things that disgrace the family? You also married into the Thompson family. How can you say such things?"
Instantly, Isla's expression changed. She was at a loss for words, looking very uncomfortable, seemingly not knowing what to say.
Cleo continued, "Gray, you've been busy with the branch office abroad, and your thinking has become as open as foreigners'? No matter how open-minded, we're not living in an era of multiple wives and concubines. You can't raise your son like this."
Hearing this, Gray felt somewhat embarrassed. He instinctively glared at Isla resentfully, then said, "Isla, apologize to Mom quickly. Why are you bringing up other people on a day like this? Sophia is our daughter-in-law."
Even so, Isla still said reluctantly, "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean anything by it. I just simply like Ava."
"Who you like is your right, but what are you doing saying this in my house? What does she have to do with Sophia? To the outside world, she's a homewrecker who interferes with other people's families. Do you need me to spell it out so clearly? Or do you want me to bring her here and teach her a good lesson?"