Sophia leisurely filed her red nails on the couch as she made the remark.
Arnid Bettyâs outburst, she somehow felt that Sophia had been acting funny.
Usually, Sophia would have jumped in and defended Betty when the latter was humiliated at home.
After all, Betty was Sophiaâs favorite daughter. Besides, Sophia would not tolerate anyone stepping all over her at the Beckettsâ residence.
However, Sophiaâs indifference was worrying. Betty wondered why Sophia had never intervened, especially when Sophia had clearly heard the commotion downstairs.
Sophia nagged at her, âBetty, I do not wish to see this happening again at home. Remember, Lauren is my daughter too. How could you hit her as her elder sister? If your dad and grandpa hear about this, theyâll fault me for raising you poorly.
âYouâre 25 this year, but why do you carry yourself like a manic depressive? You keep saying Lauren is abnormal, but youâre not better than her!â
Betty rushed up to Sophia, glowering as she asked, âMom, I have a question. Did you witness Mr.
Harper and I fighting on the first floor?â
Sophia arched her brow. âYeah. Why?â
âSo, you watched the entire time without stepping in to help me?â Betty snapped in anger. âI can understand you not helping me, but why did you let Landon take Lauren away?â
canât Sophia retorted with a smirk, âWhy I?â
Betty was stunned by her motherâs nonchalance and stammered, âMom⦠Youâ¦â
âEven I have given up on Landon Harper. Havenât you? Tsk tsk, I wonder how a smart woman like me would give birth to a lovesick daughter,â remarked Sophia, shaking her head in disdain.
She added, âAt this point, I canât place my hopes on you anymore. Itâs clear that you two wonât work out.
Since Landon is interested in Lauren, I have no choice but to approve of their relationship.
âIn the end, Lauren is still my daughter. Iâm happy that Landon accepted and cared for her despite her disability, so I have no reason to object to their relationship. If they end up getting married, you should feel proud as well, shouldnât you?â
Something inside Betty shapped. She felt her vision blur. Did Sophia just say sheâd approve of their relationship?
Inwardly, Betty questioned whether she had been reduced to a mere pawn and if she had turned into the butt of a joke.
Trembling violently, Betty yelled hysterically at Sophia, âLauren will never be with Landon! I wonât allow it.
Never!â
It was the first time she had become so furious with Sophia, whom she had always held in high regard.
A gleam appeared in Sophiaâs eyes as she grabbed the wine glass on the table and splashed its contents in Bettyâs face. The red wine spilled all over Betty, turning her into a mess.
Bewildered by Sophiaâs action, Betty stared blankly at her mother as red wine streamed down her face and dripped onto the floor.
Sophia scowled and tossed the wine glass onto the floor, shattering it. She seethed, âWho gave you the right to raise your voice at your mother? Where are your manners? If youâre unhappy with the situation, then win Landonâs heart.
âBut as a veteran, Iâm afraid I have to tell you that youâre delusional. Landon Harper will never choose you, not even if every other woman were out of the picture!â
With that, Sophia stormed off. Her final words crushed whatever was left of Bettyâs ego and conscience.
Bettyâs eyes bulged as she slowly crouched down to pick up the glass shards, clutching them so tightly that they cut into her hands like she wished to strangle Lauren.
She laughed. âNot even if every other woman were out of the picture? Well, they will be, and Landon will be mine!â