Pouring him a glass of water, Nora handed him the cup and asked, "If you really didn’t want to come, why didn’t you refuse?" Henry replied, "My mom wanted to come." Glancing at the empty coffee table, Henry asked, "No food?" Shooting him a glance, Nora raised an eyebrow, "Get it yourself downstairs." Henry put down the cup and turned to walk out. He really went to get it. After a short trip downstairs, he brought up a plate of cut fruit. Afterwards, a servant came upstairs on their own initiative, preparing all the necessary fruits and snacks, filling the guest room’s coffee table to the brim. Nora looked at Henry in surprise. This guy usually doesn’t like to eat these things. Why make such a big fuss? Seeing her confusion, Henry sipped his steaming tea leisurely and said, "Whatever they have, we should have too." Nora couldn’t help but smile. Without saying it, he was afraid she’d be bullied at home and went out of his way to make a point. With Ernesto Scott around, Henry is indeed overthinking a bit. Downstairs, in the living room. Once Henry and Nora left, the atmosphere became awkward for a moment. Fortunately, Mrs. Chapman sat back down with relief, actively chatting with Alma Ferreira and Sophie Scott, just as before, allowing the atmosphere to gradually ease. Alma and Sophie’s emotions were in turmoil, but with Mrs. Chapman smiling warmly at them, they couldn’t show it and had to maintain smiles while speaking to her. It is not known how long had passed. Ernesto Scott, who had said he was busy with meetings and wouldn’t return, suddenly came back hurriedly carrying his bag and proactively greeted them in the living room. Both Alma and Sophie were surprised, thinking although Ernesto expressed displeasure, he at least concerned himself with Sophie’s matters. Their moods finally improved a little. Unexpectedly, after exchanging perfunctory greetings, Ernesto straightforwardly asked, "Has Nora come back?" Alma and Sophie’s faces immediately turned so dark they could drip water. "Upstairs." Mrs. Chapman said gently, smiling as if basked in the spring breeze, "She is chatting with my son, Henry, right now." Ernesto was slightly taken aback, a bit surprised. Because Nora’s temper was indeed quite fiery, Ernesto had been worried she had few friends and might suffer outside, but he hadn’t expected her to make a friend like Henry. "Mm." Mrs. Chapman spoke softly, her smile undiminished, "These two kids hid it so well, even the parents weren’t aware." Ernesto nodded hastily. Looking at Mrs. Chapman’s meaning—does it hint that the relationship between Nora and Henry might not be just simple friendship? Feeling a sudden impulse, Ernesto suppressed his urge to find Nora and instead actively chatted with Mrs. Chapman. No matter what the relationship between Henry and Nora is, he must also make Mrs. Chapman realize that, although Nora has only returned recently, the attention she receives is no less than Sophie or Oliver. If there is any development between the two in the future, the Chapman Family cannot undervalue her because of Nora’s past. Meanwhile, Mrs. Chapman thought: with her son’s temper, he might provoke Nora. If they quarrel in the future, having good relations between the elders could help her son. Each with their own agenda, Ernesto and Mrs. Chapman conversed warmly. But Alma and Sophie were left on the sidelines, almost unable to join the conversation. A feeling of grievance and bitterness surged up, and Sophie bit her lip tightly, calling softly to Alma. Already feeling a surge of anger, seeing her daughter’s useless demeanor made Alma’s face instantly fall, and she glared coldly at her. That look was filled with indifference, disgust, irritability, and disappointment. Her gaze was like a dagger, cutting down with ferocity, startling Sophie. Fresh tears brimming in her eyes halted abruptly, and Sophie sat dazedly, merely recalling that instant look, feeling a chill throughout her body, an icy sharpness that continuously seeped into her bones. "Dad, Mom, Mrs. Chapman, I’m feeling a bit unwell, I’ll go upstairs first." Taking a deep breath, Sophie slowly released her clenched hands and spoke to the three present. Even Alma felt like sitting on pins and needles and wouldn’t pay her any attention. Her legs felt like lead, each step incredibly heavy. Pushing open the bedroom door, Sophie slowly crouched down, unable to control the surge of tears. Leaning against the back of the door, she wept silently, biting her lip so hard she dared not let out a piercing wail. As long as things involved Nora, no matter how good the situation was, it would always take a sharp turn for the worse. From the first time they met, when Nora ruined her date with Henry, it was as if she was under a curse, with no exceptions. The storyboard that ruined her reputation came from Nora; The humiliating history in the Virtue Retreat, was also caused by Nora; When she was ready to pull herself together and present her best to greet Henry, it was again Nora who caused trouble; Ernesto neglected her, Alma despised her. In such a short period, she went from a princess with everything to a worthless waste. Even she couldn’t look at herself anymore. She resented, she hated, crying in pain, feeling as if the strength in her limbs was being drained away, until all she felt was numbness. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁 The phone rang inappropriately. She raised her head blankly, her tear-streaked face staring mindlessly at the bedroom. After a while, she realized it was the phone on the bed vibrating. Unwilling to handle it, but the phone rang one after another, without stopping. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Sophie exhaled and braced herself to rise from the ground. Her legs achy and numb, as she moved, a prickling sensation shot from her soles, almost causing her to collapse back down. Step by step, awkwardly walking to the bedside, Sophie dropped onto the bed and found the vibrating phone. The call was from Lily Turner. Hesitating for a moment, Sophie did not hang up, instead answering and putting the phone to her ear. "Lily," she called softly, holding back her sobs. Lily didn’t notice, casually asking, "So, did you meet Henry?" "Mm. Nora messed it up again." "Nora?" Lily said in surprise, "How did she——" Sophie cut her off, "Enough. I won’t talk about it." "Alright. No more talk." Sensing the cue, Lily switched topics, "Want to get out and clear your head? Your brother’s having dinner with friends tonight, maybe come join us?" Recently, she’d been frequently in contact with Ethan, so Lily knew a bit about Nora. She hadn’t expected Nora to be the Scott’s illegitimate child. Just an illegitimate daughter, with an unpleasant demeanor, she couldn’t cause much trouble. Lily hadn’t considered Nora’s matters seriously. "No, I’m not in the mood to go out." Sophie said, paused, then seemingly realizing something, "Lily, are you with my second brother...?" Lily was startled before quickly laughing, "How could it be! Don’t overthink things." Sophie bit her lip hard, resisting the urge to hang up. At this point, if she couldn’t see it, she’d be a fool. These days, Lily had been reaching out to her frequently, trying to please her, often mentioning Ethan in their conversations... To Lily, she was just a pawn, a link between Lily and Ethan.