Chapter 140

Daisy giggled uncontrollably.

"You little troublemaker! What's so funny?" Vivian's face twisted in anger as she heard her daughter's laughter.

She hadn't even begun her confrontation yet.

Sophia stepped protectively in front of Vivian. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish here, Vivian? This is a public establishment. If you want to cause a scene, take it outside - don't disturb these paying customers."

A businessman wearing noise-canceling headphones at a nearby table frowned as the commotion interrupted his lunch.

This wasn't his problem, and he had no intention of getting involved.

Other diners shot disapproving glances their way, clearly annoyed by the disturbance.

A waiter attempted to intervene but was immediately shouted down by Vivian. No one could have predicted what happened next - Vivian suddenly hurled a full cup of piping hot coffee directly at Sophia.

The entire restaurant gasped in shock.

"Godmother!" Liam sprang to his feet, removing his sunglasses before throwing his glass of ice water at Vivian.

The cold water caused Vivian's heavy makeup to streak down her face. "You wretched little brats! How dare you-"

Vivian raised her hand to strike Liam, but just as Sophia moved to block her, another figure intercepted and caught Vivian's wrist mid-swing.

The businessman removed his headphones, his handsome face dark with irritation. "Have you lost your mind? What kind of adult picks fights with children?"

Vivian froze. Only now did she notice the disapproving murmurs from surrounding tables. She bit her lip hard, realizing she'd let her temper override her judgment in public.

Liam studied the stranger curiously. The man's gaze shifted between Liam and Sophia, who was now blotting coffee stains from her blouse with napkins. "Shouldn't this boy be in school right now? What kind of mother lets her child skip classes?"

Liam's brow furrowed.

Skip school? Was this man confusing him with Caleb? Did he think Liam was his brother?

Sophia paused her cleanup to look up at Lucas Laurent. The man's dreamy, hooded eyes were breathtakingly attractive - pale complexion perfectly complementing his sharp nose and full lips. He looked like he'd stepped right out of a romance novel cover.

"Are you... talking to me?" Sophia pointed at herself uncertainly.

Lucas gave her an unimpressed look. "Are you hard of hearing? Who else would I be addressing?"

Sophia's hand stilled. First coffee thrown at her, now being called deaf?

"You're the one who needs help," she snapped back.

Daisy tugged at Sophia's sleeve. "Don't be mad. Let's just go home - I don't want to eat here anymore."

"Come on," Liam took Daisy's hand, shooting Vivian a warning glare as they headed for the exit. "This isn't over."

An involuntary shiver ran down Vivian's spine.

That look... it was identical to Nathan's infamous icy glare when angered. The resemblance terrified her.

Lucas remained rooted in place, watching Liam's retreating figure with confusion.

What was wrong with that child? Didn't he recognize him?

Not only did the boy show no recognition, but his entire demeanor differed completely from the student he knew from school.

"Mr. Laurent, your takeout is ready." The waiter presented a neatly packed meal. Lucas accepted it and turned to leave when Vivian suddenly addressed him.

"Are you... Mr. Laurent?"

Could it really be him?

Everyone in Bassburgh knew of Lucas Laurent - the musical prodigy. The Laurent family ranked among the wealthiest dynasties in the city!