Chapter 235 Hosted by the Hawthorne Family

Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Hosted by the Hawthorne Family

The moment Stella Sutton returned home and stepped through the door, she let out a massive gasp, uncontrollably sweeping her hand out to smash the nearest vase. The intense humiliation turned her eyes red. She was trembling with rage.

They still hadn’t figured out how Sophie Winslow had managed to become a specially appointed professor. Such a sky-high honor completely trampled all over her, leaving her suffocated!

To make matters worse, the Sterling Family’s attitude had abruptly shifted! Madam Sterling had clearly warmed up to her recently. But now that Sophie was being so conspicuous, she had become a celebrity in their social circles. Many socialites were visiting the Sterlings to fish for information and curry favor.

Madam Sterling even wanted to throw a lavish celebration banquet for Sophie. This was tantamount to binding the Sterlings deeply to Sophie once more. It only fueled Sophie’s arrogance! Where did that leave her?

"What’s the matter?" Maeve Walsh asked as she walked out.

Red-eyed, Stella replied, "Sophie... she’s completely blocking my path now!"

Especially at such a crucial juncture. They still didn’t know the exact date Charles Sterling would be released. She hadn’t even secured her footing with the Sterling Family or cemented her own position yet. She went on to explain everything Sophie had achieved and the limelight she had stolen over the past two days.

Maeve’s expression shifted drastically. "Who exactly is pulling strings for Sophie? Isn’t she just some emergency room doctor? She’s thoroughly mediocre. Even though her name is on the new drug, anyone with half a brain knows it was only because of the compensation Helios gave her back then. Aside from that, what skills does she even have?"

Stella squeezed her eyes shut fiercely. "I don’t know! She hasn’t let a single clue slip!"

She was certain Sophie had done it on purpose. She had deliberately kept quiet to humiliate her during the interview and get her eliminated! And now, Sophie had regained the Sterling Family’s favor. If this continued, it would be extremely detrimental to her.

A ruthless look crossed Maeve’s face. "We have to find a way to suppress her. We’re too passive right now. Don’t worry, Mom will figure something out."

-

Meanwhile, Sophie had been rushed off her feet these past two days. She received over a dozen dinner invitations every day. At twenty-seven, her appointment as an exceptional professor at Kingsford University had sent shockwaves through the industry.

The Sterling Family had also been calling her non-stop, but she ignored every single one of them.

Eventually, Madam Sterling opted to send a text: [Are you really that busy, Sophie? I heard your news. Such a wonderful achievement calls for a celebration. How about I pick a good day and host a grand party for you?]

The sheer hypocrisy of it made Sophie sick to her stomach. They merely wanted to tie her down again to generate profit for the Sterlings. She chose to continue ignoring them.

At noon, when Sophie finally had a moment of free time, Adrian Hawthorne’s international call came through.

The man’s voice was calm. "Congratulations."

"You found out too?"

"It’s been reported in the news over here. I saw it."

"Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you myself," she said, apologizing first.

Adrian chuckled softly. "It doesn’t matter. There’s a proper process for these things anyway. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve booked my return flight. I’ll be back this weekend."

Sophie glanced at the time, sudden joy bubbling up inside her. "I’ll be waiting for you."

The thought of finally being able to use her divorce certificate to transfer Lydia’s household registration was enough to flood her brain with endorphins. A bright smile spread across her face.

Hearing her excited tone, Adrian could practically picture her expression. "The Hawthorne Family’s resort project is having a grand opening. If you don’t mind, we could host a celebration banquet for you on the same day. It can also serve to celebrate you finally becoming Lydia’s rightful mother."

Sophie pondered for a moment. She thought of Madam Sterling’s persistent attempts to throw her a party. Rather than letting the Sterlings interfere and bind her to them again, she might as well leave it to Adrian. This way, she would officially cut ties with the Sterlings.

"If it’s convenient for you, I have no objections. I’m just sorry for the trouble," Sophie relented.

"If anything, the Hawthornes are riding your coattails. It’s a good omen for the resort’s opening, so I’m the one benefiting here," Adrian stated clearly, without any equivocation.

His words drew a light chuckle from Sophie. "Mr. Hawthorne, you’re too honest."

Adrian fell silent for a moment before adding, "It’s also to celebrate your rising from the ashes. Leaving the wrong person behind is definitely worth celebrating too."

The smile in Sophie’s eyes faded slightly, but she ultimately agreed with his sentiment. She was going to take Lydia and stride forward into the future.

-

Adrian was returning to the country in just three days, yet he handled everything with incredible efficiency. That very night, Sophie received a detailed itinerary from him regarding the celebration banquet at the resort. He asked if there was anything she particularly liked or disliked.

Surprised, she didn’t feel the need to be picky and simply replied that everything looked perfect.

Not long after, Ivy Hawthorne called.

"The Hawthornes are hosting a celebration for you?" she asked excitedly. "Oh my god, this is so thrilling!"

Ivy had been working overtime editing videos when she heard about her family’s arrangements, prompting her to call immediately out of sheer impatience.

If Ivy was this shocked, Sophie could only imagine how astonished everyone else would be. "I don’t see why not."

After all, she was divorced. She had the certificate. She was a free woman. Moreover, having Adrian handle it would crush Madam Sterling’s schemes. It was far better than being coerced by them again. She had experienced the Sterlings’ underhanded tactics firsthand; it was better to strike first.

Ivy grew even more elated. "Keep that den of monsters in the Sterling Family far away! But wait... if the Sterlings find out, won’t they be furious?"

Sophie flopped back onto her bed. "I don’t care."

-

The Hawthorne Family’s resort had been a major three-year undertaking in collaboration with the government. As the grand opening approached, it naturally drew immense attention.

However, a certain piece of news suddenly spread like wildfire.

When Madam Sterling learned that Sophie had authorized the Hawthornes to host her celebration, her face twisted in disbelief. "The Hawthornes? Why would Sophie have anything to do with them?"

She had been completely in the dark about this. Worse still, an event that was supposed to be hosted by the Sterlings had been usurped by the Hawthornes. It felt as though a lucrative opportunity and a massive honor had been snatched right out of their hands.

Madam Sterling slammed her Buddha Beads onto the table. She glared at Julian Sterling, who had made a rare trip home today.

Julian was sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, monitoring the real-time stock market on his device. His eyelashes fluttered slightly before he kept his gaze lowered. "Is that so?"

Seeing his complete lack of urgency, Madam Sterling grew exasperated. "What right do the Hawthornes have to meddle in Sophie’s affairs? Where does that leave the Sterlings? Won’t this make us a laughingstock to outsiders? The fact that you and Sophie were married hasn’t been a secret in our circles for a while now. The Hawthornes are being utterly shameless!"

She had never expected the Hawthornes to swoop in at such a critical moment!

"Call Sophie! Tell her to reject the Hawthornes!" Madam Sterling commanded, keenly aware of what was at stake.

Only then did Julian slowly raise his head. "And in what capacity would the Sterlings be hosting it for her?"

Madam Sterling frowned. "You were married for seven years, after all. The Sterling Family has always loved her like one of our own."

Almost the instant those words left her mouth, the elderly butler walked in holding a gold-stamped envelope. "Madam, this is... an invitation sent by the Hawthornes."

Madam Sterling looked at the writing inside. It was a cordial invitation to attend Miss Sophie Winslow’s celebration banquet at Roselake Manor on the eighth.

Her expression contorted as a breathless rage choked her throat. The Hawthornes actually dared to send an invitation? Even while knowing full well that Sophie was the Sterlings’ daughter-in-law?!

Julian stared at the envelope with cold eyes. Unsurprisingly, Adrian had sent someone to deliver it. Whether it was a deliberate provocation or not didn’t matter anymore.

He rose slowly to his feet, elegantly checking the time on his wristwatch. "You chose Stella publicly when she was excelling. Naturally, the Hawthornes can use the exact same method to choose Sophie. The only difference is that the Hawthornes made the winning bet."

Madam Sterling’s expression twisted in horror.