“That’s not possible, young Miss,” Leo said, trying to be helpful.
“Your father is the guest of honor tonight.”
Sophie stopped walking and turned to face him.
“Did I ask you to talk?” she said, her hands on her hips.
“You talk too much, Leo.
Miss Elena is much better than you.
At least she knows when to be quiet.”
Leo’s face turned red.
“You’re comparing me to that…
that woman who thinks she’s so important just because she’s been with the company longer?
I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class from business school.”
Sophie stuck her tongue out at him.
“Then why does Daddy still have to tell you what to do?”
Sebastian didn’t say anything, just continued walking toward the ballroom.
Sophie quickly caught up to him, taking his hand again.
As they entered with Leo still trailing behind them, Sebastian’s eyes scanned the room and he spotted them immediately.
Mrs Valerius was standing tall and composed, dressed in an elegant black gown that contrasted with her dark hair which showed no signs of graying despite being in her early fifties.
Beside her stood Isabelle, wearing a deep blue dress that complemented her figure perfectly.
Sophie’s demeanor changed instantly.
The confident spoiled little girl who had been arguing with Leo moments ago transformed into a quiet, well-behaved child.
Her shoulders straightened and her hands stopped fidgeting.
She moved closer to her father as if seeking protection.
“Sebastian,” Mrs.
Valerius said as they approached.
Her voice was calm but carried an authority that made Sophie shrink back more.
“You’re late.”
Sebastian looked at her without much reaction.
“I know.”
Isabelle smiled warmly at Sophie and reached out to touch her cheek.
“And look at our little princess!
You look absolutely adorable, sweetheart.
I knew this dress would suit you perfectly.”
Sophie managed a small smile.
“Thank you, Auntie Belle.”
Isabelle turned to Sebastian and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
“You look handsome as always,” she said softly, her hand lingering on his arm for a moment longer than necessary.
Mrs.
Valerius’s brows raised slightly at the gesture but her expression remained composed.
“Sophie, stand up straight,” she said in a firm voice.
“A young lady does not slouch.”
Sophie immediately straightened her back, her eyes fixed on the floor.
“Yes, Grandma.”
Isabelle laughed softly.
“Oh Mother, let her be.
She’s just a child.”
“A child who needs to learn proper behavior,” Mrs.
Valerius replied, her gaze still fixed on Sophie.
“Particularly in public.”
Just then, a voice called out from across the room.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite great-granddaughter!”
All heads turned to see an elderly woman making her way toward them.
Her silver hair was elegantly styled and her eyes were sparkling with mischief.
She walked easily despite her age, her black dress flowing around her with each step.
Sophie’s face lit up instantly, her earlier discomfort forgotten.
“Great-Grandma!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she rushed forward to meet her.
Grandmother Valerius caught her in a warm embrace and patted her back gently.
“Oh my, look at you,” the older woman said, holding Sophie at arm’s length to admire her.
“Who allowed you to become this pretty?”
Sophie beamed and twirled a little to show off her flowered dress.
“It was Daddy!”
Grandmother Valerius raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips.
“Then your father has finally done something useful.” She winked at Sophie who giggled at the comment.
As they all walked to the table, Sebastian was already engaged in conversation with a young man in a tuxedo.
Leo was standing nearby looking slightly nervous.
Sebastian nodded at whatever the man was saying, his expression unreadable.
The rectangular table was already occupied by a few people from Sebastian’s business circle.
Sophie took her seat beside Grandmother Valerius with Isabelle settling beside her.
Mrs.
Valerius sat opposite them, her posture perfect as always.
“Leo,” Mrs.
Valerius called after she had settled in her seat.
“Could you please check with the catering staff about the champagne?
They were supposed to serve the reserve bottles, but I want to confirm.”
Leo nodded quickly from where he was standing.
“Of course, Mrs.
Valerius.
Right away.”
Before he could take a step, Grandmother Valerius spoke up.
“Darling Leo,” she said sweetly, “could you fetch me a handkerchief?
I seem to have forgotten mine.”
Leo froze for a moment, looking between the two women.
“But…
there are napkins right here on the table, Grandmother Valerius.”
The older woman smiled knowingly.
“Oh, no, darling.
I don’t want to use these common ones.
I have a special set in my purse, but I can’t seem to find it.
Could you check the coat check area?
It should have it there.”
Leo’s eyes widened slightly but he nodded.
“Yes, ma’am.
I’ll go check.”
As Leo walked away, Mrs.
Valerius’s jaw tightened.
She picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.
A few minutes later, Leo returned, quite out of breath.
“I couldn’t find it, ma’am.
They said they don’t have any purses at the coat check.”
“Of course they don’t,” Grandmother Valerius said with a wave of her hand.
“Silly me.
I must have left it in the car.
Never mind that now.” She turned to Leo again.
“Darling, could you help me with this chair?
It seems to be stuck.”
Leo helped her with the chair and made sure she was seated comfortably before stepping back.
Just then, Mrs.
Valerius looked at him.
“Leo, now that you’re through, could you please go check what I asked you to check?”
Leo nodded and turned toward Mrs.
Valerius.
“Yes, Mrs.
Valerius.
I’ll go right now.”
“Leo, darling,” Grandmother Valerius said quickly, “have you seen my glasses?
I can’t seem to find them.”
Leo stopped and looked from one woman to the other.
He suddenly realized he was being pulled into their argument again.
He let out a tired sigh before looking at Grandmother Valerius.
“They’re right on your head, Grandmother Valerius.”
The older woman touched her hair, her fingers brushing against the silver-rimmed glasses perched there.
“Oh, so they are.
How observant of you, darling.”
Mrs.
Valerius’s hand tightened around her wine glass.
“Mother,” she said, her voice low but controlled.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” Grandmother Valerius replied in her usual sweet tone.
“Stop calling him.
You’ve pulled him away at least five times now.
Leo is working.”
“Clearly he’s useful,” Grandmother Valerius said with a shrug.
“Besides, he works for the family, not for you personally.”
“Old woman,” Mrs.
Valerius said, her voice dropping to a dangerous level, “if you need someone to entertain you, find someone else.
Leo is Sebastian’s assistant.”
“Her Majesty seems to have forgotten that he works for the family too,” Grandmother Valerius shot back.
“Perhaps Sebastian hired the wrong assistant if he can’t handle a few simple tasks.”
Several people at the table shifted uncomfortably in their seats, pretending not to hear the conversation.
Leo stood frozen between the two women, looking like he wanted to disappear.
Just then, Sebastian returned to the table and took the seat beside his mother.
He didn’t acknowledge the tension, he calmly picked up his menu and began reading it as if nothing had happened.
Isabelle, sensing the need to change the subject, quickly reached into her purse.
“I almost forgot,” she said with a bright smile as she pulled out a small box of gourmet ice cream.
“Look what I brought for you, Sophie.”
Sophie’s eyes lit up.
“Oh my God!
Can I have it now?”
“After dinner,” Mrs.
Valerius said firmly, her eyes narrowing at Isabelle.
Isabelle’s smile didn’t falter.
“Of course.
After dinner.
It’s just a little treat for my favorite girl.”
Sophie blinked pitifully but didn’t argue.
A few seconds later, she shifted from one foot to the other and pressed her legs together.
“Great-Grandma, I need to pee.”
“I’ll take her,” Isabelle offered immediately.
She stood and reached for Sophie’s hand.
“Come on, sweetheart.
Have you been holding it in this whole time?”
Sophie nodded.
Isabelle gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Then let’s hurry before you have an accident.”
As they walked away from the table, Sophie looked around at the decorations and people.
They passed a table in the corner where two women were sitting: one in red and one in a darker dress.
Sophie stopped suddenly and furrowed her brows.
She then pursed her lips, her eyes fixed on the woman in the red dress.
“Isn’t that Mrs.
Anderson?” She finally asked, her voice filled with confusion.
“What’s she doing here?”