But Fanny wasn’t willing to let it go. Her expression changed, and she retorted, “If that useless Leo doesn’t come, it’s disrespectful to Grandma. Keeping a deadbeat like him around the Henley family is a disgrace for us. Sophia, you know what you should do.”
“Fanny, my matters are none of your business!” Sophia had already anticipated the situation that would arise today, but she couldn’t help feeling angry.
“What deadbeat, what disgrace? What are you discussing about?”
Just then, an aged yet powerful voice rang out.
At the entrance to the courtyard, a dignified, elegant old lady, accompanied by a little boy and a little girl on either side, walked in. She was dressed elegantly, her bearing exceptional.
“Grandma!”
“Mom!”
“Great-Grandma!”
Everyone hurriedly greeted Teresa respectfully.
Teresa’s arrival stopped Bruno and Fanny from attacking Sophia further. They quickly ran to Teresa and showcased their grandchild adoration.
“Grandma, I wish you health, happiness, laughter, and everlasting family bliss!” Fanny sweetly conveyed her birthday wishes.
Bruno followed suit, not to be outdone, “Grandma, I wish you blessings as endless as the sea, a long life like the pines!”
Teresa’s previously composed face lit up with a contented smile upon hearing these well-wishes. She reached out and gently patted Fanny and Bruno’s heads, “You’re both good grandchildren to Grandma. Grandma is very happy that you came to see her.”
Sophia also wanted to come forward and offer her birthday wishes, but Jessica pulled her back.
“Daughter, where’s your useless husband? Those relatives all were gossiping about him earlier. I have been utterly shamed because of him!”
“Mom, I didn’t tell Leo today is Grandma’s birthday,” Sophia truthfully replied.
“What! Even if you didn’t tell him, he was here at this time two years ago. He has totally forgot about it. What a deadbeat! Anyway, go and wish Grandma a happy birthday.”
Sophia walked over to Teresa, ready to offer her wishes, but Fanny shot her a sidelong glance and preempted, “Grandma, Sophia’s useless husband didn’t come today. It’s your seventieth birthday, and he didn’t even show up to wish you well. It’s truly outrageous.”
Teresa’s smile vanished upon hearing this. She looked at Sophia, now displeased.
Seeing the displeasure on Teresa’s face, Sophia grew nervous, “Grandma, Leo…”
“What’s with Leo? Could there have been an accident preventing him from coming?” Bruno cut off Sophia, not giving her a chance to explain. “It’s Grandma’s seventieth birthday, a significant event. He dare not show up? I doubt he takes the Henley family seriously. Just a freeloading interloper, what’s he worth?”
Sophia didn’t know how to respond to Bruno’s barrage, especially in front of her grandmother.
Teresa had a traditional mindset, favoring male descendants over female ones. Especially when Bruno was the Henley family’s direct descendant, Sophia was well aware of this.
Sophia was ready to give up on arguing, as it seemed futile. Her situation was only getting worse as they continued to pile on.
Seeing her daughter being mistreated, Jessica couldn’t stand it any longer. She was about to step forward and salvage Sophia’s dignity when a voice suddenly cut in.
“Hearing that everyone wants to see Leo, well, today, I’m here!” Leo announced with a comedic flair, appearing before the Henley family crowd.
“See, I told you this deadbeat would come.”
“He actually dared to show up! I bet a hundred bucks he wouldn’t.”
“Look at his smug face. Today, I finally understand what shamelessness truly means. If I were Sophia, I would’ve kicked this spineless loser out of the Henley family long ago.”
“I’ve heard of a condition called ‘cheap thrill syndrome.’ It’s when someone feels happier the more they’re insulted. I think Leo must have it.”
“I’ll give you a hundred bucks to take that back and let me say it instead!”
“…”
Sophia saw Leo approaching amidst the chatter. He paid no mind to the noise, a confident expression on his face.
For the first time, Sophia found Leo rather appealing. A unique sentiment unexpectedly welled up within her.
“Leo!” Sophia took a few steps forward and grabbed Leo’s hand. At that moment, she felt a sense of reliance.
Leo could empathize with Sophia’s emotions. Even though the others were attacking, mocking, and even berating him, they were also indirectly targeting Sophia. After all, he was legally Sophia’s husband, and outwardly, they were a couple. This meant Sophia was also under considerable psychological pressure.
“Sophia, I hope I’m not late for Grandma’s seventieth birthday?” Leo wore a gentle smile on his face.
“Not at all, you’re right on time.”
Leo’s sudden appearance dispelled the gloom in Sophia’s heart.
In her previous view, Leo was essentially an insignificant presence. However, today she realized he might not be as unimportant as she had thought.
“Leo, don’t flaunt your affection with Sophia to steal the limelight. Kissing and cuddling in public – it’ll get you in trouble. Today, Grandma is the star. If you didn’t come to wish her well, just go away!” Bruno coldly interjected.
Teresa’s old eyes fixated on Leo. Her face showed some dissatisfaction, and her gaze lacked the warmth it held before.
Like the others in the Henley family, she harbored no goodwill toward this deadbeat grandson-in-law. She even regarded his presence as a disgrace to the whole family.
Leo glanced at Bruno and spoke loudly, “Of course, I’m here to wish Grandma a happy birthday.”
Saying so, Leo approached the elderly lady, respectfully bowing as a junior, and then declared in a clear voice, “I wish Grandma everlasting vitality, boundless blessings, and unwavering strength!”
These words far outclassed Bruno and Fanny’s birthday wishes.
This statement surprised many present. In their impression, hadn’t Leo become mute? How was he suddenly speaking, and with such eloquence?
Bruno and Fanny exchanged a glance, both seeing flames flicker in each other’s eyes.
“This waste of space,” Bruno sneered, “He actually wants to steal the limelight as soon as he arrives. Doesn’t he realize that characters like him, a useless son-in-law, wouldn’t even survive past the first episode in a TV drama?”
Leo let out a cold laugh, “Bruno, anyone can speak eloquently. Today is Grandma’s birthday celebration. I don’t think you have come here empty-handed, right?”
“How could that be!?” Leo feigned surprise as he glanced at Bruno, “I followed Sophia’s instructions and specially prepared a birthday gift for Grandma!”
Upon hearing this, Sophia felt dumbfounded. She hadn’t instructed Leo to prepare any gift. Clearly, Leo had deliberately done this to help her win back her dignity in front of their relatives.