Chapter 232

Sophia's eyebrows arched slightly at Adrian's evasiveness.

The young master actually had some self-awareness.

"Knowing your shortcomings means you should work to improve them, not run away." Her tone turned stern. "What future can you have by wasting your days like this?"

Adrian frowned.

She sounded just like his eldest brother.

"Forget about 'Empress.' I'm leaving."

The upcoming historical drama was already the hottest project in the industry before filming even began.

Every veteran actor and A-lister was fighting for a role.

What chance did a D-list celebrity like him—already hated online—have except to attract more criticism?

Besides...

"I don't need charity roles."

Sophia smirked.

"What if I insist?"

She'd seen his potential.

On set, his eyes had burned with genuine passion.

He just needed someone to push him.

Adrian scoffed.

"No one's ever forced me to do anything I didn't want to do."

"Is that so?" Sophia tapped the wooden cane against her palm.

Adrian flinched.

This woman hit too hard.

Was she even human?

Wait—she wasn't even his real sister-in-law!

"I'll call the police!" He retreated, blustering. "Domestic violence is illegal!"

Sophia smiled sweetly.

"As the elder sister-in-law, disciplining you is my duty."

"Who asked you to?!" His ears turned red. "I'm a grown man!"

He glared at her defiantly.

"Try me."

The cane whistled through the air.

"Ow! You crazy—!"

Adrian scrambled away as Sophia chased him.

"Did no one teach you to respect women?"

He froze mid-step.

Truth was... no one had.

The girls he'd known before would laugh at anything he said.

Had his jokes really been that cruel all along?