Chapter 415

Eleanor Blackwood snapped at the maid overseeing the dining room: "Sophia's place setting will not be added to the table today. Since she refuses to address me as mother-in-law and won’t speak to me or his father, then she clearly doesn’t recognize us as family. So why should she be served? Let’s eat! I’d like to see who dares to challenge me on this!"

Eleanor was playing the elder card shamelessly.

No one in the household dared disobey. Originally, there should have been ten seats for tonight’s family dinner, but now Sophia’s place was conspicuously missing.

Victoria Sullivan watched the scene unfold with malicious glee.

She couldn’t wait to see how Sophia would handle this humiliation. She strode into the dining room first and took her usual seat, then greeted the Blackwood family with exaggerated sweetness. "Grandfather, Grandmother. Uncle, Aunt, little aunt and uncle." The "little aunt and uncle" she referred to were Liam Sterling’s parents.

Victoria knew they despised Sophia just as much as she did.

Sure enough, both of them responded warmly. "Victoria, please, sit down."

Everyone noticed the missing chair and place setting.

Yet no one mentioned it, pretending not to see.

Little Lily dashed in and plopped into her seat, only to glance around in confusion. "Huh? Where will Mommy and Daddy sit?"

Grace Blackwood, seated at the head of the table, finally seemed to notice. "Ethan, we should have added an extra chair tonight. There are more people than usual. Why wasn’t this arranged?"

Eleanor’s expression turned icy. "Mother! Look at me—I’m getting old! I’ve spent decades managing the Blackwood household, yet I still can’t earn my mother-in-law’s approval. The servants should have taken care of this."

Grace quickly soothed her. "Don’t blame yourself. With so many people dining here daily, it’s easy to overlook. I know you’re upset that I gave Sophia the heirloom bracelet today. You think I’m favoring her."

She paused, her voice gentle but firm. "But that’s not my intention. I’m doing this for you. If I treat your daughter-in-law well, she’ll be filial to you in return."

Grace might appear absentminded at times, but her mind was sharp.

She was trying to mediate, to bring peace to the Blackwood family.

After calming her daughter-in-law, she turned to Sophia with a kind smile. "Sophia, even if Eleanor isn’t your mother by blood, she is still your mother-in-law in name. Why don’t you stand behind her and serve her during the meal? Would that be acceptable?"

Sophia hesitated.

If it were just Eleanor, she would have turned and walked out without a second thought.

She had no status here, but she would never grovel.

Yet Grace’s kindness made her pause. Besides, the old woman had a point—families should compromise for harmony. For Grace’s sake, and for Lily’s, Sophia nodded.

"Alright, Grandmother." She moved to stand behind Eleanor.

Eleanor’s expression softened slightly.

But as Sophia passed Victoria, the latter suddenly stuck out her foot, tripping her.

"Ah—!" Sophia stumbled but was caught by Ethan’s steadying grip.

Victoria feigned innocence. "Oh! I’m so sorry! I was just so eager to serve Aunt Eleanor myself. I didn’t mean to bump into you."

Before Sophia could respond, Ethan’s voice cut through the air like a blade. "Get out."

Victoria burst into laughter, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

She smirked at Sophia, as if to say, Did you really think becoming Ethan’s wife would grant you a seat at the Blackwood family table?

Did you honestly believe you could claim the family heirlooms?

Those bracelets belong to my aunt—and one day, they’ll be mine!

You’re nothing but a gold-digger trying to steal what’s rightfully ours.

Now, it’s time you were put in your place.

Emboldened, Victoria sneered, "Miss Montgomery! The Blackwood dining room is no place for you. The fact that the Young Master is asking you to leave is already more courtesy than you deserve—"

Before she could finish, a spoonful of chili sauce splattered across her face.

The sauce, meant for dipping, now dripped from her nose and lips.

Lily glared at her, arms crossed.

Victoria shrieked, "It burns! Aunt Eleanor—!" She frantically wiped her face with a napkin, her eyes watering.

Eleanor, furious, turned on Sophia. "Your wretched child!"

"Leave." Ethan’s voice was lethally calm, his gaze murderous.

Victoria froze. "Y-Young Master… you’re dismissing me?"

"You heard me." His tone left no room for argument.

Victoria’s face paled. "But… I live here!"

"One more word, and I’ll have you thrown out. Don’t test me." His disgust was palpable.

The only reason he hadn’t physically removed her was out of consideration for Lily and Grace. The elderly woman had been kind to Sophia earlier, and he wouldn’t risk shocking her.

Trembling, Victoria turned to Eleanor for support.

Eleanor, whose mood had briefly improved, now looked thunderous. She slammed the table and stood. "Ethan! How dare you—"

"Eleanor, sit down." Grace’s voice, though quiet, carried authority.

Eleanor stiffened. "Mother…"

Grace fixed Victoria with a stern gaze. "You, a guest in this house, have overstayed your welcome. The world says guests should be seen, not heard. Yet here you are, meddling in family affairs as if you own the place."

Her tone sharpened. "First, you provoke the staff. Then, you antagonize your aunt. The Blackwoods have no use for someone like you."

She gestured dismissively. "This is a family meal. What right do you have to disrupt it? Ethan is correct—leave at once."

Eleanor fell silent. Though Grace often seemed forgetful, her words tonight were undeniably logical.

The true outsider at this table wasn’t Sophia—it was Victoria.

Victoria clutched her stinging face, desperation in her eyes. "Aunt Eleanor…?"

But Eleanor said nothing.