Chapter 359

"If you think he's good, then I'm relieved." Patriarch Valdemar's gaze was earnest. "If he dares to mistreat you, I'll be the first to make him pay."

Sophia Laurent pressed her lips together under the old man's expectant stare.

She decided silently that Alexander should be the one to break the news of their impending divorce.

After all, it was a Valdemar family matter.

Alexander and Adrian Valdemar chose that moment to enter.

Adrian's eyes flickered at his grandfather's words.

"Old man, sis, Mrs. Liu says dinner's ready," he interjected with forced cheer.

Patriarch Valdemar shot him a glare before turning to Sophia with grandfatherly warmth. "Come, Sophia. The kitchen prepared all your favorites tonight."

She offered a faint smile. "Perfect timing. I'm starving."

As the four took their seats, a razor-sharp voice sliced through the dining room.

"Family dinners now exclude me without notice?"

Adrian's smile froze.

His spine straightened, expression turning guarded.

Alexander remained impassive.

Patriarch Valdemar didn't look up. "Just an informal meal."

Sophia glanced toward the doorway.

Vincent Valdemar stood beside a stern-faced matriarch.

The elderly woman wore an onyx qipao with a snow-white shawl, her silver hair coiled in flawless order.

Fury burned in her hawkish eyes.

"Have you all forgotten your place?"

"Sit down or leave," Patriarch Valdemar said coldly.

"You—!"

Matriarch Valdemar's chest heaved with indignation.

Her withering gaze swept the table before landing on Alexander.

"Alexander! That spectacle at headquarters today—were you trying to destroy your own father?"

"Filial piety comes first. Is this how you honor your family?"

Patriarch Valdemar slammed the table. "Mind your tongue, Li Hongying!"

The matriarch sneered. "Did I misspeak? What son treats his father this way?"

Adrian's knuckles whitened around his chopsticks.

Terrified of his grandmother, he stayed silent.

Sophia frowned but held her tongue.

Patriarch Valdemar roared, "And what father deserves this less?"

Matriarch Valdemar scoffed. "Men of our standing have always kept concubines."

"Diana was the one who chose hysterics over dignity, disrupting this household—"

The patriarch choked on his rage.

Alexander spoke at last.