Chapter 373

Sophia wished to fade into the background, but Isabella Valentine refused to let her.

"Miss Lowell, why aren't you eating?" Isabella's voice dripped with honeyed sweetness. "Does the food not suit your taste?"

Every pair of eyes at the long dining table turned toward Sophia.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she forced a polite smile. "Thank you for your concern. I'm just feeling unwell."

"Stop pretending!" Victoria Langley slammed her chopsticks down. "Who are you trying to impress with this act?"

"Aunt Victoria!" Emily Laurent cut in sharply. "Sophia hasn't said a word. Unlike you—"

"Enough!" Mr. Roscente Sr. struck the table with a heavy hand, his expression darkening. "Must every meal be ruined by this nonsense?"

The air turned to ice.

Isabella, unfazed, calmly served the patriarch another dish, her soothing words coaxing a smile from him within moments.

"If you're unwell, see a doctor," the old man suddenly addressed Sophia. "I won't have anyone claiming the Roscentes neglect their guests."

Sophia clenched her napkin. "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather."

"How dramatic!" Victoria rolled her eyes. "Must the entire table know how delicate you are?"

Emily trembled with anger, but Sophia pressed a warning hand against hers beneath the table.

"Could it be... pregnancy?" Victoria's tone turned sly.

Sophia's spine went rigid.

"If loss of appetite means pregnancy," Ethan Roscente dabbed his lips with a napkin, "then congratulations are in order for Third Uncle."

He raised his glass toward the elder Roscente brother. "Another child on the way. Impressive vigor at your age."

Third Uncle's face flushed crimson as he shot his wife a venomous glare. "Shut up and eat!"

Victoria's expression twisted.

The patriarch's gaze shifted to Ethan.

"Third Aunt transferred fifty million to her nephew last month," Ethan murmured, just loud enough for the old man to hear.

The patriarch's face transformed instantly.

"Third Son!" He threw his chopsticks down. "My study. Now."

Bewildered, Third Uncle followed, leaving the rest of the table in stunned silence.