Once inside, Grace helped Sophia sit on the sofa, whispering in her ear, "You’re done with Nathan, so you’d better give up this child. If Mandy asks you, you insist that you’re not pregnant. Show that you’re pitiful and say your engagement with Nathan is over. Understand?" Sophia nodded. "Please have a glass of water," Mandy said, taking a cup from the maid and handing it to Sophia. "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital?" "It’s nothing, thank you, Mrs. Norman," Grace sighed. "It’s just that Sophia is heartbroken. She and your son had always been very close, and she doesn’t understand why he’s suddenly angry. She’s devastated." Mandy waved her hand, instructing the maid, "You can leave now and close the door." "Yes, ma’am." Mandy was also puzzled by what had just happened. However, she didn’t show her confusion. Her expression remained calm, "You must be Mrs. Morgan. I’m terribly sorry for the rude things my son said…" "It’s alright," Grace replied softly. "I understand they had feelings for each other and might be having a spat." Mandy nodded, though she had something to confirm, "I heard Sophia had something with Nathan. Is that true?" "That was in the past. Sophia is twenty-five; she’s had relationships. But that’s all over now; they have no relationship anymore." Mandy clasped her hands in front of her chest, her brow slightly furrowed with concern, "I see…" "Yes," Grace said affectionately, patting Mandy’s hand and sighing. "You must know how the media and journalists will stop at nothing to create stories. They spread rumors about my daughter being pregnant, but it’s all lies. Sophia and Nathan dated, but they broke up a long time ago and haven’t been in touch since. Isn’t that right, Sophia?" Sophia quickly nodded, "Yes, Mrs. Norman, your son must have heard some rumors, which made him angry. He wasn’t like this before. He always loved me; he even gave me a dress…" "He must have been influenced by someone," Grace said. "Some people are just envious and can’t stand to see my daughter being favored by your son, so they must break them apart. Just now, I saw your son and my daughter chatting in a corner of the garden. They’ve always had a good relationship."Mandy recalled that Vincent hadn’t appeared in the hall, realizing he had been alone with Sophia in the garden. She frowned slightly, "My son never mentioned his romantic affairs to me, so I didn’t know anything." Grace said, "Young people are like that. They only tell their parents about their relationships when they’re ready to marry. My daughter is the same. We only found out about their relationship yesterday when your son sent a dress to our home." Grace and Sophia kept talking. After listening for a while, Mandy believed their words. Mandy knew Vincent was a reserved person. Before today, he hadn’t mentioned bringing a girl home; it was her husband who learned from others about his relationship. That was indeed his style. "It seems it was all a misunderstanding," Mandy smiled. "I’m sorry for my son’s attitude towards Sophia. I’ll have him come and apologize to her." Grace smiled, "You’re his mother; he should listen to you, right?" Mandy’s smile was a bit forced, "Our family situation is complicated. Vincent is not my biological son…" Grace and Sophia were both surprised. They exchanged a glance but said nothing. Mandy raised her head slightly, "Vincent hasn’t spent much time with me. Most of the time, he only contacts his father. I’m just fulfilling the role of a mother in name; we don’t have a close relationship." "Are you his stepmother?" "You could say that," Mandy said. "He is my husband’s adopted son. My husband adopted him years before marrying me. They have a good father-son relationship, and I’m considered his stepmother." Grace immediately caught the key point, agreeing, "Yes, many people have prejudices against stepmothers, thinking they abuse their stepchildren. Only those who have been stepmothers know how difficult it is." Mandy suddenly looked up, "Right, I often don’t know how to treat Vincent. Mrs. Morgan, are you also a stepmother?" Grace nodded, her face showing helplessness, "My husband has a daughter from before we married. She recently moved into our home and has been against me. But my husband favors her, so I don’t dare show my dissatisfaction and swallow my grievances."Finding someone with a similar experience, Mandy felt an instant connection with Grace, bringing them closer. Mandy smiled bitterly, "It’s the first time I’ve met someone in a similar situation. You’re welcome to visit me more often. Men don’t understand the pain in our hearts and think we’re making a fuss. But only we women know it’s not a small matter." "Of course," Grace said. "Whether our children can marry or not, we can be friends." Mandy suddenly asked, "Is the stepdaughter you mentioned the girl in the bright pink dress with heavy makeup?" "Yes, that’s her," Grace said, full of grievance. "Look at her attire; does she seem well-mannered? I advised her to dress more elegantly, but she scolded me. What else can I do? I can only let her show her true self."