Chapter 363

The melancholy in her eyes vanished, replaced by a spark of eager anticipation.

"Natalie grew up with you. She's beautiful, elegant, and gentle. A top graduate from a prestigious university. A girl like her is hard to come by..."

Natalie Lockwood was a distant relative from Matriarch Valdemar's maternal family, though not related by blood. In the old woman's eyes, she was the perfect candidate for a granddaughter-in-law.

Alexander Valdemar met his grandmother's expectant gaze calmly.

"Are you suggesting I break my childhood engagement and marry someone else?"

"Become a heartless scoundrel and tarnish Grandfather's reputation?"

The smile froze on the Matriarch's face.

It took her a moment to recover. She stammered, "I... I didn't mean it that way..."

Avoiding his eyes, she turned her attention to Sophia Laurent, who was quietly enjoying her spare ribs. Her tone sharpened.

"Miss Laurent, since this marriage wasn't your choice, name your price to dissolve the engagement."

Sophia lifted her head slowly, meeting the Matriarch's condescending stare. A playful glint appeared in her eyes.

She blinked, adopting a pitiful expression. Her voice softened like cotton candy.

"Grandmother, Alexander and I are truly in love."

"I don't want money. I only want him..."

The Matriarch gasped, her finger trembling as she pointed at Sophia. "You!"

Having lived decades, she despised women who put on such theatrics.

Adrian Valdemar, who had been scowling, swallowed his words when Sophia suddenly transformed into a drama queen.

Watching his grandmother's flustered expression, he nearly burst out laughing.

Even Alexander raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching upward.

The Matriarch's face turned livid.

"Stop your acting! I've seen plenty of women like you!"

Sophia bit her lip, appearing frightened into silence.

Her eyes were still red from the spicy chicken earlier, making her look especially wronged.

Alexander intervened coldly, "Enough."

His voice was icy. "Grandmother, Sophia is my wife."

"It's my duty to protect her from disrespect."

"Who's disrespecting her?" The Matriarch slammed the table. "Can't I speak the truth?"

She turned to Patriarch Valdemar. "This woman is faking her innocence! You're all being fooled!"

The Patriarch said sternly, "Sophia is our acknowledged granddaughter-in-law. Don't harass the child."

The Matriarch stamped her foot in frustration.

Adrian struggled to contain his laughter before offering with mock sincerity,

"Don't be upset, Grandmother."

"Alexander is already married, but the Valdemar family still has other eligible..."