Liza glanced at Gavin instinctively, her mind racing. Was this man… actually standing up for her? Sophia’s confident demeanor faltered, her expression stiffening as the room fell into a heavy silence. Lady Edna, however, exploded with rage. “Gavin, what nonsense are you saying??! Sophia is your fiancée! The Reed Family is integral to us, and their influence will only strengthen our standing in the future. Yet you’d threaten to ruin them for this… this Liza? Have you completely lost your senses?! Liza is nothing but a home-wrecking mistress!” Gavin’s voice was sharp, his patience clearly worn thin. “Lady Edna, does my warning mean nothing to you?” He crossed his arms, his gaze slicing through the tension in the room. “You repeatedly accuse Liza of being a third party, climbing onto some self-righteous pedestal of morality. Have you conveniently forgotten your own sordid history? Or should I remind everyone of how you drove the original Mrs. Stone to her grave?” The accusation struck like thunder. “You, who once played the role of a mistress, now act as if you despise them more than anyone else. Your hypocrisy is astonishing, Lady Edna. I’m starting to wonder if my memory is failing, or if perhaps you’ve rewritten history to suit your narrative. But let me be clear: you are a mistress.” The room descended into a suffocating silence. Liza’s eyes widened in shock. Lady Edna… a mistress? Then what did that mean for Gavin? Lady Edna’s hand trembled violently as she pointed at her son. Her voice cracked with fury. “You ungrateful wretch! If I’m a mistress, then what does that make you? An illegitimate, unwanted child?” Gavin’s gaze turned icy. “That’s exactly what I am: an illegitimate child. But unlike you, I’ve never tried to claim things that weren’t mine. Perhaps it’s time you and Miss Sophia learned that lesson yourselves.” Liza sat frozen, unable to process the sharp turn the argument had taken. What had started as a simple dispute now laid bare deep-rooted animosities and decades-old grudges. Lady Edna staggered, visibly shaken. Her knees buckled slightly, and she collapsed onto the sofa, her face pale. Sophia, sensing the shift, hurried to Lady Edna’s side, putting on an air of concern. “Mr Stone … I mean, Brother Gavin, please don’t be so harsh on Lady Edna. She’s only acting this way because she cares about you so much. Things just got a little out of hand…” But Gavin didn’t even spare her a glance. “Butler,” he called coolly, “see the guests out.” Without another word, the butler approached, gesturing for Lady Edna and Sophia to leave. Lady Edna, humiliated and livid, rose unsteadily to her feet as she stormed out of the villa. Sophia trailed after her, her expression conflicted. Once outside, Sophia turned to Lady Edna, her frustration barely masked by feigned sorrow. “Lady Edna, this is my fault. I shouldn’t have let myself hope for a future with Brother Gavin. I know he’s married, and I shouldn’t interfere. But… I just can’t accept how he abandoned me so easily. How could he marry someone like Liza? What does she have that I don’t?” Her voice wavered, and tears welled up in her eyes. “I’ve done everything I could, but his attitude toward me remains cold. What should I do, Lady Edna? I don’t think I can ever be the daughter-in-law of the Stone family now.” Lady Edna’s eyes gleamed with malice as she grabbed Sophia’s hand. “Don’t say that, Sophia. You’ll always be the daughter-in-law I’ve chosen. That position was only stolen temporarily by that wretched Liza. But mark my words, you’ll take it back.” Sophia shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No… Miss Liza is shameless enough to hold on to the title of Mrs. Stone , but I can’t do the same. I won’t destroy their marriage, Lady Edna. I’ll wait… I’ll wait for their inevitable divorce. I’ll wait for Brother Gavin.” Her innocent act masked her cunning, each word meticulously designed to stoke Lady Edna’s hatred while keeping herself blameless. Lady Edna nodded, her resolve hardening. “Don’t worry, Sophia. That woman won’t hold on to her title for long. I’ll make sure of it.” Sophia’s lips curled into the faintest smile as she dabbed at her tears, silently calculating her next move. Sophia’s so-called engagement with Gavin had been nothing but a fabrication. Gavin hadn’t gone to the Civil Affairs Bureau that day for her, but only the two of them were privy to that truth. Sophia had crafted a clever lie, claiming she was his fiancée and that her absence at the Civil Affairs Bureau was a deliberate test to gauge his feelings for her. If she maintained this charade, Liza could easily be painted as the intruder, a mistress who had wedged her way into Gavin’s life.Lady Edna fumed with indignation. “That Liza is nothing but a scheming vixen! How could she ever compare to you? Don’t worry, Sophia. You’re the one I’ve chosen, and you’ll be the Stone family’s daughter-in-law. I’ll make sure you get back your rightful position as Mrs. Stone!” Tears welled up in Sophia’s eyes as she shook her head, her voice trembling. “Lady Edna, it’s not about the position. You know I’ve never cared about that. My only concern is the damage this might do to Brother Gavin’s reputation. What if people laugh at him because of this marriage? Miss Liza doesn’t belong to the upper class. She hasn’t learned the etiquette or responsibilities that come with being part of a prominent family. What if she embarrasses him or causes unnecessary problems?” Her words were measured, each designed to stoke Lady Edna’s simmering rage. Sophia continued, her tone laced with feigned concern. “Brother Gavin works so hard managing the company. He’s already under so much pressure. Marriage should have brought him peace and support, not more stress. Instead of easing his burden, Miss Liza seems to be adding to it.” Lady Edna’s expression darkened further, her anger bubbling over. Sensing she had struck the right chord, Sophia choked back a sob and added, “Lady Edna, perhaps you could help Miss Liza. She could use a proper etiquette teacher to guide her in understanding the customs and expectations of high society. Even if she’s not an ideal match for Brother Gavin, she’s still married to him, and her actions will reflect on the family. Please, for the sake of Brother Gavin’s reputation, do something. He’s still your son, after all, no matter how he treats you.” Hearing this, Lady Edna’s anger burned hotter, but she couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Her frustration toward Liza grew, but so did her appreciation for Sophia’s seemingly selfless suggestion. Lady Edna placed a hand on Sophia’s and said with a sigh, “Sophia, you truly are the most thoughtful and sensible. You’ve always had Gavin’s best interests at heart.” Sophia lowered her gaze, a flicker of triumph flashing in her eyes as she maintained her sorrowful demeanor. Her schemes were falling into place perfectly.