Chapter 27: Welcome Banquet
As soon as she heard this, not only did Isla's face turn awkward, but even Tyler's expression changed. He spoke up to stop her, "Grandma, Mom didn't mean to bring up Ava. Please don't take it to heart."
"Sophia is your wife, yet she keeps mentioning Ava on a day like this. You're part of the Thompson family after all - you shouldn't be saying things like that, right? I just like Sophia, and I'd like to see who dares to say otherwise!"
At this moment, an inexplicable sense of calm welled up in my heart. My whole chest felt warm, and this warmth spread throughout my body. I was no longer afraid.
I knew that if I continued to cower, I would be letting down Cleo's protection of me.
So I straightened my back and said openly, "Mom, you're free to like whoever you want - I have no right to interfere. But since I'm Tyler's wife now, I'll do what's expected of me. You've been abroad for years, and I've managed the Thompson family household perfectly well. I don't think I've done anything wrong, so that's all I have to say."
Tyler looked at me, his gaze pausing slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
This was the first time I'd directly stood up to Isla since marrying into the Thompson family.
Before, no matter what harsh words she used to mock me, I would always endure it silently.
Isla's pupils contracted slightly, her eyes showing a trace of shock, with complete disbelief at the bottom.
It seemed she couldn't imagine I would treat her this way.
The surrounding air was wrapped tightly in silence. The atmosphere felt frozen. Apart from everyone's breathing, everyone fell into a brief silence.
Tyler was the first to break the silence. "Mom, Dad, Sophia has always been devoted to the Thompson family. You can rest assured. Please sit down, don't keep standing."
Cleo just gave Isla a light glance, then let me help her back to her chair.
Isla wasn't favored by Cleo. The reason seemed to be that years ago, she had also schemed her way into the Thompson family. I didn't know the specifics, but later, because she gave birth to Tyler and so many years had passed, past matters were let go.
However, Isla's nature couldn't change. Sometimes I even thought that the reason she disliked me so much was actually because she hated her former self.
Isla brought gifts for everyone. I knew very well she wouldn't bring one for me.
Sure enough, after everyone's gifts were distributed, my hands were empty.
Isla ignored me and attentively said to Cleo, "Mom, this is top-quality jade. It's said to be hundreds of years old. Please wear it. I heard it can nourish your energy and improve blood circulation. If you wear it, your vitality will get better and better, and your complexion will become rosier."
Cleo just held it in her hand and played with it, then asked, "It looks like good quality. How much was it?"
"Not expensive at all, just over three million dollars. As long as you like it, Mom, it's worth any price." Isla thought Cleo was pleased with her gift and instantly became smug.
What she didn't expect was that Cleo turned and took my hand, unhesitatingly placing the jade on my wrist. My heart tightened, and Isla's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"I'm old, wearing this won't do me much good. But Sophia has beautiful skin - the jade looks great on her."
I quickly tried to take it off. "Grandma, no, this is a gift from Mom to you. How can you give it to me? Please put it on."
Cleo said unhurriedly, "Since she's already given it to me, I have the right to decide who I give it to. Don't you agree?"
With that, Cleo deliberately threw the question to Isla.
Isla gritted her teeth, her face displeased, but could only nod. "Yes... I already gave it to Mom... Mom can give it to whoever she wants."
"I'm giving the jade to Sophia. It looks good on her. Sophia, you wear it." With that, Cleo put it back on me.
I felt very uneasy inside and instinctively looked at Tyler's reaction. He just nodded at me. I pressed my lips together and finally accepted it.
Inadvertently, I glanced at Isla's face. Her expression was gloomy, with cold glints shooting from her eyes.
Jasper grabbed my hand, his big eyes staring at the jade, then he sincerely praised, "Mommy, you look so beautiful wearing this jade, so beautiful!"
Hearing Jasper's praise made me feel much better.
Tyler and Gray kept discussing work matters. I couldn't understand their conversation, so I could only hold Jasper and sit beside Cleo.
The elders first asked about Isla's life abroad, then chatted about family matters.
I responded here and there, but was actually quite uninterested.
Before I knew it, Isla had turned the conversation to me again. I heard her say, "Sophia, are you still just a housewife every day? Haven't you thought about doing something? Women should have their own careers."
I knew she was being sarcastic, so I answered properly, "I have my own considerations. I won't trouble you to worry about it, Mom."
Isla's tone was harsh. "Although the Thompson family is wealthy and Tyler manages the Thompson Group well, his money doesn't grow on trees. You can't rely on him to support you forever, right?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of my mouth. "Yes, Mom, but I sometimes publish articles to earn money. Although it's not much, it's enough for my own expenses. I save all the money Tyler gives me in a card as Jasper's future education fund."
I easily deflected all of Isla's attempts to embarrass me, and her expression couldn't have been worse.
Knowing that Isla was deliberately making things difficult for me, Cleo said, "Isla, what university did you graduate from? I've forgotten."
"Mom, I have a bachelor's degree."
"Was it from a top university or a regular university?"
Isla lacked confidence. "A regular university."
Cleo smiled slightly and said proudly, "Sophia graduated from a top university, and she was already guaranteed admission to graduate school. Her grades were always at the top of her class, and she won scholarships left and right. That's not something just anyone can compare to."
Jasper didn't understand these things. He only knew that Sophia was amazing, so he chimed in, "My mommy is really good at studying. I've seen Mommy's old certificates - they're all in the drawer. There are so many, like a whole book."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and signaled Jasper to stop talking.
Cleo patted Jasper's little head and said equally proudly, "That's right, your mommy is the best, much better than certain people."