Chapter 199

Tyler Roland's face turned pale with rage, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.

He opened his mouth to argue, but Sophia Lowell silenced him with a single glance.

Some words shouldn't be spoken. Some actions shouldn't be taken.

The mere presence of Ethan Roscente and William Valentine made their stance unmistakably clear.

This farce had been rigged against them from the start.

"Cowards," Tyler spat through gritted teeth.

He kicked the ground hard before storming off, his retreating figure radiating fury and disillusionment.

Sophia stood alone, an isolated island amidst the crowd.

William finally deigned to look at her, his gaze dripping with disdain. "Ethan, so this is your country bumpkin niece? Pretty enough, but utterly lacking in manners."

He adjusted his cuffs with deliberate slowness. "Normally I wouldn't interfere in Roscente family affairs. But Tiffany and Isabella have been close since childhood. I can't stand by while she's wronged."

Tiffany Roscente lifted her chin triumphantly.

Her挑衅 stare screamed "You're finished" as it locked onto Sophia.

Sophia met Ethan's gaze instead, her lips curling into a sardonic smile.

She waited to see how her "dear uncle" would perform.

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. "The Roscentes never shield those at fault."

His quiet pronouncement instantly hushed the room.

William's face stiffened.

He'd intended to assert dominance, never expecting Ethan would deny him even this small courtesy.

The weight of the guests' stares prickled against his skin like needles.

Ethan turned to Tiffany. "Are you certain this wasn't deliberate?"

Tiffany's triumphant expression froze.

Her lips trembled as cold sweat dampened her back.

Sophia's breath caught.

This marked the first time Ethan had publicly taken her side.

Just as Tiffany opened her mouth, Isabella Valentine grasped her hand.

"Ethan, you're frightening her," Isabella soothed. "Tiffany may be willful, but she understands propriety. Making a scene like this only gives outsiders fodder for gossip."

William seized the lifeline. "Exactly! Family disputes shouldn't air in public. By causing this commotion, Sophia has disgraced the Roscente name."

His meaningful glance at Ethan carried clear warning. "Old Mr. Roscente values family reputation above all. If word of this reaches him..."