Chapter 18

William Lowell's temples throbbed with rage at Oliver Granger's flippant tone.

He was about to explode when the call disconnected with a sharp beep.

His face darkened as he raised his phone, ready to smash it.

"Breaking it will cost you," Sophia remarked coolly.

William froze mid-motion, his expression comically stiff.

Richard Lowell slammed his teacdown. "Sophia, enough."

He adopted a pained expression. "Family matters shouldn't be aired in public. You're making us a laughingstock—"

"Laughingstock?" Sophia's lips curled in derision. "Since when were you my family?"

She turned to the butler. "Call security."

The butler bowed immediately. "Yes, Mrs. Valdemar."

Armed guards arrived within moments.

Richard's face twisted. "Sophia!"

Victoria shrieked, "How dare you!"

The guards already had them by the arms, dragging them toward the exit.

Veins bulged on Richard's forehead.

William hurled obscenities.

Victoria thrashed wildly. "Ungrateful wretch!"

She'd bragged about this visit on social media—being ejected was humiliating.

"I've done nothing wrong," Sophia stated icily.

Victoria's face contorted. "We raised you!"

"Neglect isn't parenting." Sophia addressed the butler. "Ban them from the premises."

"Understood."

The trio was unceremoniously shoved through the gates.

Richard straightened his rumpled suit. "We'll leave on our own!"

Standing outside the mansion, their expressions grew increasingly venomous.

"William," Richard ground out. "Teach Pearl Entertainment a lesson."

William's eyes glinted dangerously. "I'll make them beg."

Victoria kept ranting. "She'd never have married into the Valdemars without us! That ingrate!"

Conveniently forgetting how they'd forced Sophia into the arranged marriage.

A phone rang abruptly.

Victoria answered impatiently.

Whatever the caller said drained all color from her face.

"What's wrong?" Richard frowned.