Chapter 643

I’ve never thought of comparing myself to anyone else. Everything will be fine no matter how awesome Winter and Jennifer are since Tristan has no feelings for them! Sophie thought.

William frowned. “But… if you are determined to stay with Tristan, isn’t it okay to make a few changes to yourself? Why can’t you try to change if you truly love him?”

“I’m my best self now. There’s no need for me to make any changes to myself.” Sophie felt it was unnecessary to twist and change herself for other people.

“You!”

I can’t believe a woman like her exists. Why won’t she listen to what I say? If she continues acting this way, what else can I say to convince her otherwise?

“There’s no need to get so worked up over this, Old Mr. Lombard. It’s not worth getting yourself so upset over me that it hurts your body.”

Anyway, he is my elder and Tristan’s father. Since young, Tristan has had no mother. That’s why he respects Old Mr. Lombard so much. Hence, I should treat Old Mr. Lombard with respect too.

“Forget it. This is why I dislike you. It’s useless to try and talk to you. Who cares if you are a capable woman? You won’t even think on behalf of your lover. A woman like you would never become a good wife even if you were to marry Tristan in the future.”

Tristan and the rest noticed Sophie and William were deeply engrossed in a conversation when they walked out.

“Eh, why is Old Mr. Lombard here? Did he show up because he found out you were learning how to cook?” The people in the upper class were conservative and traditional. They believed that a man should not be found in a kitchen, so it wasn’t unusual that William would show up for a talk when he realized what Tristan was doing.

Sean agreed, “I believe that’s the reason why he’s here.” Even though the men were standing far from Sophie and William, they could feel the hostility between the duo.

“Ah. Tristan, I feel like there’s no need for you to learn cooking. Old Mr. Lombard had just decided not to intervene in your relationship. It’s inadvisable to anger him again over something trivial like this.”

Felix shook his head. “It’s important to maintain harmony between the people you care about. Am I right, Tristan?”

Tristan didn’t stay to listen further. He hurried forward with a few steps and pulled Sophie into his embrace as he stared at William.

“Why are you here? I thought you were busy recently? How did you squeeze in the time to show up here?”

William sneered when Tristan confronted him. “Tristan, where is your conscience? No matter what happens between us, I’m still your father. I was the one who raised you. How dare you speak to me this way over a mere woman? Do you know what respect is? Do you still consider me your father?”

Deep down, Tristan’s mistreatment of him distressed William.

It doesn’t matter what went down between us. Tristan is the precious child that I’ve raised for so many years. I’ve always been so proud of him. Why did he turn out this way?

Sophie grabbed Tristan’s hand to stop him from speaking further. She didn’t want the man to argue with his father over her.

Tristan shouldn’t disappoint Old Mr. Lombard no matter what, right?

“I’m all right, Mr. Tristan. Old Mr. Lombard didn’t say anything unnecessary to me.” Sophie gazed into Tristan’s eyes earnestly. “Don’t do anything that you will regret in the future because of me.”

Tristan wouldn’t be happy either if he hurt Old Mr. Lombard now.

Understanding Sophie’s intention, Tristan changed his tone. “Yeah. Dad, why don’t you head back first?

I have something else going on today. I’ll talk to you when I head home some other day.”

Sorrow filled William’s heart when he saw Tristan’s obedience around Sophie.

My son wouldn’t listen to a word I said. Yet, he takes everything Sophie says so seriously. Why does he treat me so differently from her? It’s making me sad. No wonder other people always talk about how a son always ends up siding with his wife or girlfriend over his parents. Ah! It seems like my son didn’t escape the same fate either.

Tristan opened the car door for William, reminding him, “All right. The weather is getting cold. You should remain inside the mansion if there is nothing important. It’s not right for you to run around like this when you are getting old.”

He was truly concerned for William’s wellbeing.

Dad didn’t have an easy life as he had to raise his three kids alone. He’s never once thought about remarrying, as he always says that he doesn’t know what love is. From what I see, he is the one that is the most affectionate and emotional. If not, he wouldn’t have stayed single for so many years.

With the car door opened for him, William knew he would only annoy the people present more if he didn’t leave now. With a snort and no more words, he turned and left.

William grew more and more upset when he got back to the mansion.

Come on! I wasn’t wrong. A woman should learn to cook and stay at home, taking care of everything in the household so her man can work without any worries.

Meanwhile, Sarah got a call from the butler. Knowing that William was overthinking and obsessing over some matters again, she quickly headed home from the company.

As soon as she stepped through the door, she was greeted by the sight of a sulking William sitting atop the couch. Sarah walked over, sat beside him, and leaned her head on William’s shoulder. She asked softly, “Dad, what’s wrong? Who had the gall to offend you? Let me know. I’ll go and teach him or her a lesson now.”

William sighed in resignation. “Was it easy for me to raise the three of you alone? Why are you all disobeying me?”

He lowered his head miserably as if everyone had wronged him.

Sarah mused inwardly, Maybe everyone will act this way when they get older. They become child-like, needing the comfort of the people around them. See! My dad has turned into one of them. Even though he used to be a successful and influential businessman in the past, now he is just a mere mortal who wants his children to care about him.

“Dad, we all love you. Really! I promise. I swear you are the person that I love the most in this world,”

Sarah exclaimed.

Sarah knew how difficult it must have been for William to raise her and her siblings alone. It was a fact that the Lombard family didn’t have financial trouble, but then again, William didn’t neglect to show his love for his children either.

“Is that true?”

“Of course! It’s not just me who loves you. Lincoln and Tristan love you too! They just don’t show it outwardly because they don’t know how to express their love. Don’t overthink this, okay? All of us want you to be healthy and well. We are only able to live in peace knowing that you are fine! As for Tristan, please stop worrying about him. He is a grown-up now. He knows what he is doing.”

“How can he learn how to cook? He overly dotes on Sophie! If this goes on, Sophie will only ask for more and more outrageous things when they get married. He is a man. He can’t let that happen to him!” William voiced. That was the part that he was unable to wrap his mind around.

“Dad, there’s something you should know. Times are different now. If a man doesn’t pamper his woman, she might run away from him.”

Sarah’s words rendered William completely speechless.

He retorted, “Where can she escape to? Sophie told me she loves Tristan, but I’ve never seen her do anything for him!”

William felt indignant because he didn’t want Tristan to live such a pathetic life just because he was in love.

“Hey. I’ve already told you that this is how things are between them. Your anger does not change anything. If you know your anger is worthless, why don’t you remain calm? Men and women are equal now. Take me for an example. I’m a career woman!”