CH 20
James sighed, his mouth pulling into a wry smile. “You spoil him too much.”
Smith adjusted his glasses, his voice low and thoughtful. “Could it be that Ethan married her to secure Grandpa’s shares?” The room fell silent as James and Sophia considered the possibility.
The words had barely left Smith’s mouth when James and Sophia exchanged sharp glances, their faces clouded with suspicion.
“Smith, how did you know?” Sophia demanded, her voice cutting through the tense air like a blade. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him as if peeling back layers to uncover the truth. “To my knowledge, only Ethan, your father, and I were privy to this matter.”
Smith hesitated, his shoulders slumping slightly under her piercing gaze. Finally, he admitted, “Ethan told me.”
“He told you?” Sophia’s brows furrowed further, skepticism etched across her face. Her tone grew sharper, demanding answers. “Why would he do that?”
A wave of unease rippled through Smith. Swallowing hard, he managed a small nod. His voice, barely above a whisper, carried the weight of his regret. “I… I shouldn’t have spoken out. I only meant to prevent misunderstandings between you and Ethan.”
James’s voice broke the tension, steady and reassuring. “Smith, rest assured. Neither Sophia nor I will hold this against you.”
Smith cast a grateful glance toward James before continuing. “When I returned to the Green family, Ethan warned me not to covet the family’s fortune. He said, despite his disability, he would always be the rightful heir. He believed marrying Olivia would secure his claim to Grandpa’s shares and cement his control over the Green family.”
“Is that truly what he said?” Sophia asked, her tone incredulous. Her penetrating gaze remained fixed on Smith, as though trying to pierce through his words and read his heart.
Smith’s hands fidgeted slightly, but his voice carried a sincere resolve. “Ethan’s fears are unfounded. I’m simply grateful to have been accepted into this family. I have no intention of challenging his position. All I wish is to care for you and Father in your old age.”
James exhaled deeply, his voice laced with relief. “Smith, you truly are a considerate young man. You’ve earned my trust, and neither Sophia nor I hold any grudges against you.”
Sophia remained silent, her gaze contemplative as it lingered on Smith. Skepticism had colored her initial acceptance of James’s illegitimate son, but Ethan’s accident had changed everything. James had proposed bringing Smith back to support Ethan, and she had reluctantly agreed. Over time, Smith’s unerring loyalty and humility had softened her stance, though her acceptance still felt more surface-level than heartfelt.
Before she could dwell further, a crisp voice shattered the quiet. “It seems everyone’s here.”
Sophia’s head snapped toward the sound. “Ethan, you’re back!” she exclaimed, her steps instinctively moving toward him. Yet she stopped abruptly, her gaze catching sight of Olivia standing just a step behind him.
Olivia stepped forward, her smile poised and polished. “Hello, I’m Olivia,” she introduced herself smoothly.
The unexpected introduction caught Sophia off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Ethan took the lead, a warm smile playing on his lips as he turned to James and Smith. “Allow me to introduce her properly,” he said. “This is Olivia, my lawful wife.”
The announcement hit like a thunderclap. James’s face darkened with fury, and he slammed his hand onto the table with enough force to rattle the dishes. “Bullshit!” he bellowed, pointing an accusing finger at Ethan. “Since when is marriage a matter to be taken so lightly?”
Ethan’s demeanor shifted, his gaze hardening as he met his father’s anger head-on. “That’s your opinion,” he retorted, his tone unwavering. “I’m fully committed to Olivia.”
James’s glare turned toward Olivia, his voice sharp and dismissive. “She’s cut ties with the Edwards family! She’s no longer their heiress. How could she possibly be worthy of becoming my daughter-in-law?”
Olivia’s eyes flickered briefly toward James before she turned to Ethan, choosing silence over confrontation. She was still learning to navigate the intricate, volatile dynamics of the Green family and wasn’t eager to spark unnecessary conflict.
Ethan’s lips curled into a sardonic smile as he pointed at Smith. “And yet, you allow the mistress’s son to step foot in this house? Where is your consistency, Father?”
James’s face twisted with rage, his hand rising instinctively. “How dare you disrespect your father like this? I’ll teach you a lesson—”
“James, stop!” Sophia’s sharp tone cut through his fury, freezing him mid-gesture. Her gaze burned with intensity as she demanded, “What are you doing? Did Ethan say something untrue?”
James’s mouth opened, but the words faltered. Instead, his frustration seeped into his expression, darkening his features.
“Sophia, how can you say that? You’ve praised Smith before!” he argued, though his voice lacked the conviction to challenge her fully.
Sophia stood firm, her tone cold but resolute. “Yes, he’s a good boy, but that doesn’t erase the fact that his mother was a mistress. I accepted him because he’s here for Ethan’s sake. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Smith stood to the side, silent but visibly tense, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His head hung low, his mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts and emotions.
