Chapter 365

The Patriarch Valdemar stared coldly at Matriarch Valdemar.

"If you treat marriage as a bargaining chip and value decades of love less than those so-called family members, then divorce is indeed the best choice."

Matriarch Valdemar trembled, her eyes widening in disbelief.

This man, who had once been madly in love with her, now wanted a divorce?

She shook with rage.

"Fine! Let's divorce! I'd like to see who ends up humiliated!"

Failing to achieve her goal, Matriarch Valdemar turned and stormed away.

Before leaving, she shot Sophia Laurent a venomous glare.

If it weren't for this woman—if Natalie Lockwood had married Alexander Valdemar—things wouldn't have come to this!

Sophia was baffled by the hostility.

Just as she frowned in confusion, a steaming bowl of chicken soup was placed before her.

"Ignore her."

The rich aroma of the soup, simmered since afternoon in the Valdemar kitchen, filled the air.

Sophia had noticed it earlier but hadn't dared to move during the tense atmosphere.

She hadn't expected Alexander to serve her.

"Thank you."

She took a sip, savoring the delicious flavor.

Seeing her distracted, Alexander exhaled quietly in relief.

If not for him, Sophia wouldn't have been subjected to such unwarranted hostility tonight.

Patriarch Valdemar sat in silence, his expression dark.

Alexander pressed his lips together, unsure how to comfort him.

The Patriarch and Matriarch had once defied their families for love.

Their bond had been strong—until Vincent Valdemar's infidelity and Diana Valdemar's breakdown.

The Patriarch believed Vincent was unworthy as a husband.

But the Matriarch favored her eldest son, insisting powerful men naturally had multiple women.

She blamed Diana for overreacting and driving Vincent away.

Over time, their rift deepened.

The Matriarch moved in with Vincent's family, growing increasingly biased—even in business matters favoring him.

As the Patriarch wallowed in sorrow, Adrian Valdemar suddenly spoke.

"Old man, don't you think Natalie Lockwood wanting to marry my brother is like a toad lusting after swan meat?"

The Patriarch frowned at him.

Adrian grinned.

"What I mean is, she's not even fit to compare to a single strand of my sister-in-law's hair..."

The Patriarch chuckled despite himself.

"You rascal..."

Adrian had been the one to provoke the Matriarch into leaving earlier.

But her schemes, years in the making, wouldn't end so easily.

Thankfully, he'd ensured Alexander and Sophia's marriage, cutting off the Matriarch's plans.

If their union had faltered, she would have intervened immediately.