Chapter 205 The Sterling Family Wants to Matchmake Julian Sterling and Stella Sutton

Chapter 205: Chapter 205: The Sterling Family Wants to Matchmake Julian Sterling and Stella Sutton

Sophie Winslow hadn’t expected this.

After all, ancestral worship ceremonies were strictly family-only affairs. For Stella Sutton to be here meant she had been granted special permission by the Sterlings.

Old Madam Sterling was clearly not surprised to see Stella. While not overly warm, she still offered a greeting. "You’re here. Have a seat and rest for a bit. Serve the tea."

This was the first time Stella had been allowed to set foot in the Sterling residence since her scandalous affair with Julian Sterling had blown up within the family. Previously, the Sterlings had completely shut her out. Truth be told, if Julian hadn’t been shielding her, the Sterling Family would have made the Sutton Family pay dearly.

Sophie understood this perfectly well. So, the current situation...

"Thank you, Grandma," Stella replied obediently, flashing a radiant smile as she completely ignored Sophie.

The old woman gave a slight nod. "Mm."

Sophie stood frozen a short distance away, watching this absurd scene unfold. The Sterling Family... actually intended to accept Stella. Or perhaps they planned to turn a blind eye, no longer objecting to Julian deepening his relationship with the currently highly sought-after medical genius.

And now, she was officially crossing the threshold. Furthermore, she was doing it right in front of the so-called "Mrs. Sterling."

"What would you like to drink?"

Sophie was jolted from her thoughts by a cold, indifferent voice. Julian had walked past her at some point. Seeing the servants preparing refreshments, he asked the question in his usual unhurried tone.

Looking at the man’s unapologetic expression, Sophie almost wanted to laugh. Bringing his mistress to a strictly family-only ancestral worship ceremony—right in front of his wife, whom the rest of the Sterlings still considered legally married to him—was tantamount to declaring Stella an official member of the Sterling Family!

Brazenly parading her before the family elders... Yes, such a heartless move was exactly something Julian would do.

In just these few short moments, Sophie could already feel the gazes of the servants from all directions—looks of shock, contempt, and pity. Today’s occasion was, to everyone witnessing it, nothing short of a public declaration. Mrs. Sterling was about to be replaced.

Sophie looked up at the man standing before her. His eyes seemed to be covered by a thin layer of ice. Time had taught her that a man who didn’t love you could never be warmed up, no matter how hard you tried. Which was why she had to endure such humiliation today.

No wonder Stella had exuded such confidence when she walked in. The Sterlings were tacitly approving of this.

Sophie didn’t answer Julian. Instead, she turned and walked out into the courtyard. She wanted nothing more than to leave immediately, but she was here for a reason: her divorce certificate. She needed to remain rational and play their game.

Julian’s gaze followed her retreating figure. His eyes betrayed no emotion, and he quickly looked away. He didn’t chase after her, nor did he have any intention of explaining the current situation.

The moment Sophie stepped outside, Barbara Coleman appeared out of nowhere. Her tone dripped with biting sarcasm. "If you had even a fraction of the skills and abilities of that scheming little tramp Stella, you wouldn’t have made things so ugly for this family! Do you see how highly regarded she is lately? For any major family, that kind of prestige is the most crucial asset."

Stella’s recent project had made massive waves—so massive that even the Sterling Family had basked in the external praise. This newfound status was the bargaining chip that earned Stella her seat at the Sterlings’ table today.

Sophie didn’t need Barbara to remind her of what the Sterlings were implying.

"Well, isn’t your son quite useless too? He’s getting out soon, but his fiancée is gone. If he can’t even keep a woman tied to him, what else can he possibly accomplish?" Sophie threw Barbara’s mockery right back at her.

Barbara’s elegant face instantly contorted in fury. "Sophie! Stop clinging to your pathetic pride! Can’t you see what today means? Julian is now more confident than ever in bringing Stella into this family!"

The fact that the Sterlings allowed Stella here today was their tacit acknowledgment of this reality. Everyone was pragmatic, let alone a prominent family. Whoever could bring the most benefits to the family was the optimal choice.

Stella... was about to officially claim her place.

Sophie didn’t feel heartbroken. Her love for Julian had long been worn down to absolutely nothing. She just wondered why they felt the need to demand she return and witness it with her own eyes, since they had already invited Stella to the ancestral worship.

Barbara was clearly fuming as well. If Stella married into the family, it meant she and her son would have to swallow their anger for the rest of their lives. Especially during this crucial period when Charles Sterling was about to be released from prison. Seeing that Sophie was unresponsive and making no effort to fight for her husband, Barbara stormed off in a huff.

Sophie remained perfectly still, but she now had her answer in her heart. This was the perfect timing.

Charles was getting out of prison next month. Was Julian going out of his way to elevate Stella’s status right now so the Sterlings would recognize her value and accept her early? Was he trying to lock down their marriage before Charles was released? So that everything would be set in stone?

Sophie couldn’t help but marvel. Julian’s mind was hard to read, but his schemes ran deep. He had calculated every single step.

She lowered her eyes, unable to hold back a mocking smile. Even having guessed Julian’s intentions, Sophie still didn’t leave. She hadn’t achieved her goal yet.

As evening approached, the entire Sterling household gathered at the ancestral hall.

Stella was clearly riding high. Having been treated well by the Sterlings all day, she stood there beaming with radiant triumph.

When it came time to offer incense, Sophie adhered to the rules she had followed for the past few years. As Julian stepped forward, she also walked over to take the incense sticks. Traditionally, a husband and wife would offer incense together, separately from the others.

However, before she could even grab the sticks, a hand reached across her line of sight and snatched a few away, before casually walking over to stand right next to Julian.

Sophie looked over. Stella was already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Julian. She looked at Old Madam Sterling and spoke with earnest sincerity. "Grandma, this is my first time attending. I’d like to offer some incense together too."

As soon as she said this, numerous unreadable gazes fell upon Sophie, who had been left hanging off to the side. Sophie ran her fingertips over her remaining incense sticks, watching this brazen scene unfold. Stella had actively placed herself in the spot that rightfully belonged to Julian’s wife, intending to offer incense alongside him.

Julian seemed to sense Sophie’s gaze. He shot her a careless, indifferent glance, but made no move to stop Stella.

Old Madam Sterling’s expression remained entirely impassive; she knew exactly what Stella was trying to pull. Sitting in the seat of honor, she replied casually, "It is good to show filial piety."

That single sentence brought the underlying subtext completely out into the open. They had no intention of interfering with this pair of immoral, shameless "star-crossed lovers" any longer. It was tacit approval. More than that, it felt like a silent blessing of their union.

Stella’s smile reached her eyes. She even shot Sophie a blatant glance, the corners of her lips curling up into a smirk.

Without a single sound, it felt like a resounding slap across Sophie’s face. Today, she had become the ultimate laughingstock.