Chapter 192

Sophia Laurent stared at the exquisite dishes on the dining table, but her thoughts drifted to Margaret Delaney's sickbed. Patriarch Valdemar, meanwhile, was weighed down by worries, the recent turmoil at the company leaving him restless.

The aroma of braised pork ribs filled the dining room, the meat so tender it practically melted in the mouth.

The rich scent of wild mushroom chicken soup wafted through the air, while the greens were crisp and fresh enough to snap.

Sophia helped herself to two bowls of rice and finished an entire bowl of soup. Her unpretentious appetite eased the tension in Patriarch Valdemar's brow.

"Sophia, if you need anything, come to me. If I'm not here, ask the butler."

Her eyes curved into crescents. "Thank you, Grandfather."

Before the words fully left her lips, the front door burst open with a violent crash.

"Father, what exactly do you think you're doing?"

Patriarch Valdemar's expression darkened instantly. "What are you doing here?"

The intruder, a well-preserved man in his early forties, now flushed with anger, stormed in.

"Alexander is in a vegetative state! Why won't you let Sebastian into headquarters?"

"Enough!" Patriarch Valdemar slammed his hands on the table and stood. "Alexander will wake up!"

The middle-aged man's veins bulged with fury. "You're too biased! What has Sebastian ever done to deserve less than that living corpse?"

"Get out!" Patriarch Valdemar grabbed a rice bowl and hurled it at him.

The man dodged nimbly, his gaze suddenly locking onto Sophia. "So this is the healing bride you found for Alexander?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm. "Afraid he'll be lonely on his way to the grave?"

Sophia instantly recognized him—Vincent Valdemar, Alexander's biological father.

Patriarch Valdemar trembled with rage, snatching up a plate and throwing it. "Security! Throw him out!"

The butler and guards rushed in, seizing Vincent by the arms.

Vincent shook them off, shouting as he was dragged away, "Don't blame me for what happens next, since you clearly favor one son over the other!"

Silence finally returned to the room—only for Patriarch Valdemar to clutch his chest and collapse backward.

"Call a doctor!" the butler cried.

The villa erupted into chaos.

By the time the doctor arrived, Henry Chamberlain, Alexander's assistant, had also hurried in. He checked his watch repeatedly, beads of sweat forming at his temples.

"Doctor, how is he?"

The doctor removed his stethoscope. "The shock was too much. He needs complete rest."