Chapter 166 Breaking Off the Engagement?

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Breaking Off the Engagement?

Winnie Hayes’s chest heaved as she saw through Adrian Hawthorne’s intentions. "I don’t need your reminder. This is a matter between the York and Hawthorne families. I won’t make things difficult for anyone else."

Stella Sutton felt a bit dissatisfied. Why didn’t Adrian throw Sophie Winslow out as a target at a time like this? At the very least, it would divert Winnie’s anger.

Evan York sneered, "Mr. Hawthorne, this is a breach of faith on your part."

Adrian looked over. "Then what does Mr. York suggest I do? How long should I wait before it’s considered loyal and righteous?"

Evan’s expression turned cold, but he couldn’t refute it. Sophie remained even more silent. It seemed the quietest people in the room had become her and... In her peripheral vision was Julian Sterling’s elegant, seated figure. It was ridiculous. As her husband of seven years, he was acting like a mere spectator watching her emotional melodrama unfold.

Since she was sitting right across from him, Julian could likely detect her every move. He raised his gaze with precision, and Sophie took in the emotions within his eyes entirely—indifferent, aloof, without a single ripple. She wasn’t surprised, only giving a faint, sardonic smile.

Winnie also knew that Adrian was right. Over the years, he had never been involved in any romantic scandals, dedicating himself entirely to being decisive and ruthless in the business world. He had maintained a remarkably clean personal life. Her face icy, she asked, "Did you come here today aiming to completely sever ties with the York family?"

Adrian’s attitude didn’t change. "You exaggerate. The choice lies with the York family."

Winnie sneered. What a "the choice lies with the York family"! Today, he had publicly admitted his feelings for another woman. If the York family still accepted this and pretended it didn’t happen, wouldn’t they be shamelessly forcing the marriage forward? If word got out, it would sound terrible.

At this thought, Winnie couldn’t help but look at Sophie, who had remained silent all along. Non-contentious, unassuming, and never trying to steal the spotlight. It was rare for her to meet a child who pleased her eyes so much, but...

"Winslow, what do you think? What are your thoughts on Adrian? What are your personal plans regarding relationships?" Winnie tossed the question to Sophie.

Adrian’s brows twitched slightly. Julian also slowly looked up. Winnie was demanding an attitude from Sophie, or perhaps asking her to weigh the pros and cons and make a choice. Evan was staring at her as well.

Stella’s brows furrowed deeply. At this point, there was no guarantee Sophie wouldn’t just lay her cards on the table and expose her relationship with Julian to escape Winnie’s grudge. She didn’t want Sophie to do something so selfish at the expense of others! She couldn’t help but look at Julian. His expression was languid and indifferent, showing no signs of worry or urgency. Stella felt an immediate sense of relief. She believed Julian definitely wouldn’t give Sophie any face, which was why he wasn’t worried about her speaking out of turn.

Sophie pursed her lips. "I am a divorced widow. When it comes to relationships, I let nature take its course."

An eerie silence fell over the room for several seconds. Even Evan and Finn Lockwood simultaneously glanced at Julian’s expression. Sophie actually didn’t drag Julian into this mess? But it had to be said, her words were clever.

Although Winnie was surprised by the "divorced widow" remark, her expression softened. She knew very well that if Sophie was truly divorced, a prominent family like the Hawthornes might not necessarily accept her. Therefore, the phrase "let nature take its course" sounded more like a neutral pleasantry. It didn’t offend the York family, and it gave Adrian face by neither outright rejecting nor accepting him.

Winnie sighed, the sharpness about her gradually subsiding. "Child, I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. Whether a woman’s marriage is successful, or whether she has ever been married at all, cannot be a criterion for judging her. I am simply a grandmother who cannot help but show favoritism toward my own grandchild. I’m not targeting you." In that moment, Winnie suddenly seemed to age significantly.

Sophie was surprised. She had thought Winnie would hold a grudge against her.

Winnie stood up, her face pale from her fluctuating emotions. She suddenly stared fixedly at Adrian. "Perhaps the Hawthorne family has long had complaints about our York family. I don’t want my granddaughter to bear the baseless blame of holding someone back. Since you’ve laid your cards on the table today, I won’t force the issue."

Julian suddenly looked at Winnie. The very next second, Winnie enunciated every word, "After I finish handling my work affairs, I will find an appropriate time to formally meet with the Hawthorne family and clarify things. We will annul the engagement."

Evan’s expression changed drastically. "Grandma?"

Adrian’s eyes flickered slightly. Even Stella was stunned, unable to believe this turn of events. Did she mean... she was going to grant Adrian’s wish? She wasn’t even going to retaliate against Sophie? And allow someone like her the chance to become a daughter-in-law of the Hawthorne family? Wouldn’t that give Sophie even more capital to be smug about?

Winnie waved her hand. "Say no more. I will give my granddaughter whatever she wants, but I absolutely will not allow her to suffer any grievances. I will not force her into a half-hearted marriage." She was a little unsteady on her feet but refused to let anyone help her. After dropping those words, she walked out the door, valiant and resolute.

A crowd of people hoping to eavesdrop on some gossip was still gathered at the door. They hadn’t fully dispersed, their eyes constantly peeking into the room.

Sophie had no time to pay attention to the people at the door, but it would be a lie to say she wasn’t shocked inside. That lost daughter of the York family—even though she hadn’t returned, her family still provided her with tremendous backing and protection. A powerful, dominant maiden family was something Sophie had never had. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been controlled by the Sterling family and Madam Sterling up until now.

Stella’s face was grim. This was completely different from what she had expected! Chairman Hayes was being far too lenient with Sophie!

As soon as Winnie left, Evan’s face darkened. He lunged forward and grabbed Adrian by the collar. "Mr. Hawthorne, you did this on purpose, didn’t you? You laid your cards on the table with my grandmother at this exact moment, using Sophie to achieve your goals!"

Adrian lowered his eyes. "Does Mr. York wish to force my hand?"

Evan’s expression morphed in rage, and he raised his fist to strike. Sophie was close by. Seeing that a physical fight was about to break out, she immediately stood up to stop it. After all, today’s incident had started because of her. Staying out of it was simply impossible.

Just as she approached, she started, "Mr. York, please calm—"

"Sophie Winslow, you are unfaithful to your marriage and caused this whole mess. Do you think you’re innocent?" Evan snapped his head around, speaking without any reservations.

At the same time, due to his violent movements while struggling with Adrian, he subconsciously threw his arm back, heavily swatting away the approaching Sophie.

Only then did Adrian’s expression change. Frowning, he shoved Evan aside with one hand and reached out to support Sophie with the other. Moving in perfect sync with him was Julian. As Sophie stumbled, two hands grabbed her arms simultaneously, keeping her balanced.

At this sight, Stella abruptly stood up, her eyes turning utterly cold. She stared in sheer disbelief at Julian, who was already standing beside Sophie.

Just as Sophie steadied herself, she looked down at the hands of the two men gripping her arms. Adrian also looked up, meeting Julian’s eyes.

Julian’s gaze swept indifferently over the hand Adrian had on Sophie. His cold, handsome face betrayed almost no emotion, appearing entirely devoid of human warmth. "There are too many eyes watching. Don’t make a scene."

His heartless tone instantly snapped Evan back to his senses. Turning his head, he saw the restless shadows of the crowd gathered by the door. He instantly realized that he had just come dangerously close to exposing Sophie and Julian’s marriage from his own mouth.

Sophie’s heart gradually settled back into tranquility. She, too, understood what Julian meant. Julian hadn’t stepped in because he cared whether she lived or died; he did it to stop Evan from bringing their relationship to light, thereby protecting Stella’s public face and reputation.

Rather than saying he was protecting her, it was more accurate to say he was protecting Stella’s glamorous status as his official girlfriend.