Chapter 25

Emily Lowell clung affectionately to her mother's arm. "Mom, you must be joking," she cooed. "Who would dare upset you?"

Victoria Lowell sighed heavily.

Her expression darkened as she recalled Sophia Laurent's icy glare. "It's your sister," she admitted. "I don't understand how she became so..."

A calculated gleam flashed through Emily's eyes, though her face remained the picture of filial devotion. "Mom, Sophia just has a stubborn personality," she soothed. "Deep down she's not bad. Please don't take it to heart."

Victoria visibly relaxed at her younger daughter's comforting words.

"Oh, if only your sister had half your understanding," she lamented. "I'd thank the heavens."

From birth, Sophia had been difficult - a constant source of frustration.

Emily, in contrast, might as well have been her biological child.

Graceful. Accomplished. Beautiful. Successful.

A shining star among elite socialites.

Finally unburdening herself, Victoria confessed, "Your sister hired a lawyer to sue me."

Emily feigned shock. "Sue you? Whatever for?"

"Two years ago she gave me a bank card," Victoria explained bitterly. "I've used it for some purchases since then. Now she demands repayment with interest."

"How outrageous!" Emily's delicate brows furrowed in apparent distress. "If Sophia has issues with me, she should take it up directly. Why target you and William?"

Her lips trembled slightly, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know she still resents me. She can treat me however she pleases, but to do this to you..."

Victoria's heart ached at the sight. She pulled Emily into a tight embrace. "This isn't your fault, darling. Your sister simply has a petty, vindictive nature."

Resting against her mother's shoulder, Emily allowed a triumphant smirk to flicker across her face before quickly schooling her features.

"Mom, don't worry," she declared with righteous fervor. "I won't let Sophia succeed."

Her voice rang with indignation. "Children honoring their parents is natural law. What Sophia's doing violates basic morality. If this gets out, society will condemn her. We can't just accept this humiliation."

Victoria straightened, emboldened by her daughter's words.

Exactly her thoughts.

What was wrong with a successful daughter supporting her mother?

For Sophia to threaten legal action over such trivial matters was sheer filial impiety!

"But..." Victoria hesitated. "Your sister seems determined this time. If word gets out among my social circle, how could I show my face? Is there another way?"

Emily pretended to consider. "There is one approach," she said slowly. "Though it might not reflect well on Sophia..."

Victoria perked up. "What is it?"

"You know I'll be filming that variety show with Nathan soon," Emily began carefully.

"These programs always have pre-and post-broadcast interviews - extremely high visibility."

Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "If we leak this story to netizens, the public pressure would force Sophia to back down. She'd never dare proceed with such an unfilial lawsuit..."