Chapter 209

Sophia stood at 5'3", her petite frame accentuated by her girlish fashion sense. Next to Lucas Laurent, who towered at 6'2", she looked undeniably tiny. But calling her flat-chested?

That wasn’t just rude—it was downright insulting!

Caleb burst into laughter.

"Caleb!" Sophia huffed, hands on her hips. "You’re teaming up with him to bully me now? Should I tell your mom?"

Caleb immediately dashed over and clung to her, his voice sweet and pleading. "Godmother, I’m sorry! Please don’t tell Mommy!"

Watching him act so adorably, Sophia’s irritation melted away.

Then Caleb’s smartwatch buzzed. His face fell. "Uh-oh. Mommy’s here to pick me up!"

Sophia escorted him to the school gates, where a sleek Rolls-Royce gleamed under the afternoon sun.

"Mommy!" Caleb sprinted toward Evelyn the moment she stepped out.

She ruffled his hair. "Why were you outside already?"

As she spoke, her gaze landed on Sophia approaching. She narrowed her eyes at Caleb. "Did you cause trouble again?"

"No way! I just wanted fried chicken wings, and Godmother brought me some!" Caleb insisted, grinning.

Sophia forced a smile. "He was perfectly behaved. Just a little snack break."

Evelyn studied them skeptically. Something felt off.

"Daddy! You came too!" Caleb quickly diverted the conversation, scrambling into the car.

Evelyn turned to Sophia. "Need a ride?"

Sophia waved her off. "Nah, I drove. Besides, I don’t want to third-wheel your family time."

Evelyn chuckled. "Alright, we’ll head home then."

Sophia blinked, waving as the car pulled away. Once they were out of sight, she exhaled sharply.

Those three little troublemakers only remember me when they need an accomplice. If Zee ever finds out half the things I’ve helped them with, I’m doomed.

"Ah, so Mr. Goldmann is the kid’s father."

The sudden voice behind her made Sophia freeze. She turned slowly, tilting her head up to meet Lucas’s amused gaze.

Damn, he’s tall.

"What are you staring at, shorty?" Lucas smirked before walking away.

Sophia bristled. "Oh, wow, congrats on being born tall! Must be nice breathing all that dusty air up there. Thanks for filtering it for the rest of us!"

What kind of jerk is he? Rude, arrogant—ugh!

At the Vanderbilt Manor

"Look what your daughter did to Lydia! She fired her without a valid reason!" Linda had been complaining to Madam Victoria since returning from Luxe Group, and now the matriarch was scolding Richard at the dinner table.

She had hoped Lydia and Evelyn would get along. Instead, Evelyn had unceremoniously kicked her out.

Lydia bit her lip, feigning distress. "Grandma, I barely said anything to her, and she just… dismissed me."

"Evelyn is becoming insufferable!" Madam Victoria’s temper flared. "First, she exploits Lydia, then fires her on a whim? This time, she’s gone too far!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew. "I’ll go talk to her myself tomorrow. This is unacceptable!"

Richard abruptly set down his silverware. The table fell silent.