"You exaggerate, Mrs. Winston." Sophia Sullivan's voice remained calm. "I'm merely reclaiming what's rightfully mine."
She glanced at her wristwatch.
"The team has already been dispatched to Green Lake Villa. Once we've met with Mr. Winston Sr., the inventory should be completed."
Mrs. Winston's face turned ashen.
Liam Winston steadied his mother, glaring at Sophia. "Had I known you were this petty, I would never have let you step foot in the Winston family!"
Sophia ignored him completely.
His indifference only fueled Liam's anger. "If you hadn't used saving Grandfather as leverage to force me into marriage, I would never have—"
"You insolent fool!"
A furious roar echoed from the doorway.
Mr. Winston Sr. stormed in, leaning heavily on his cane, his face dark with rage.
The cane came down hard on Liam's back.
"Are you blind? Completely bewitched by this woman!"
He pointed a trembling finger at Chloe Evans.
"Have you forgotten how she abandoned you at the altar for wealth, turning our family into the laughingstock of the city? If not for Sophia cleaning up your mess, where would you be today?"
Liam stiffened his neck. "Chloe was pressured by her parents! What fault is it of hers? Just like how you forced me to marry Sophia—"
Slap!
A sharp crack rang through the room as the old man struck his grandson across the face.
"You've lost your mind to this scheming woman!" Mr. Winston Sr. trembled with fury.
Sophia stepped forward to support the elderly man.
"You've just been discharged from the hospital. Your health comes first."
The old man sighed deeply, patting her hand.
"Without Sophia managing this household these past three years, how could you have focused on your career? The Winstons repay kindness with gratitude. An ungrateful wretch like you doesn't deserve to carry our name!"
Liam paled, rendered speechless.
Turning to Sophia, the elder Winston's gaze hardened with resolve.
"I can disown my grandson, but you will always be my granddaughter-in-law."
His words struck like thunder.
The room fell silent in shock.
Mrs. Winston trembled with suppressed rage. In decades of marriage, she'd never seen her father-in-law show such blatant favoritism.
"Father," she said through clenched teeth, "I'm not feeling well. I'll retire upstairs."
Tears welled in Chloe's eyes. "Liam, perhaps I should leave. I don't want to upset Grandfather further."
Liam gripped her hand tightly. "I won't let you go."
The old man's cold gaze swept over them.
"Then get out. Now."