“I’ll help you pour,” Sophia couldn’t stay seated alone on the couch, so she gave her own mother a sidelong glance and went to assist Leo.
For Jessica, ordering Leo around in front of everyone not only felt satisfying but also invigorating. Perhaps this was what it felt like to be in control.
“Jessica, I envy you. Not only did you move into Cloud Dream Mountain, but your son-in-law is also so obedient. It’s a treatment only queens receive,” one of Jessica’s poker card friends commented.
“By the way, Jessica, how did you train your son-in-law to be so obedient? Share your secret with us,” another woman inquired.
Jessica glanced at her and replied smugly, “What, does your son-in-law dare to defy you?”
“Well, not exactly, but he’s not very obedient.”
“Training a son-in-law is my special skill. Invite me for a meal sometime, and I’ll share my secret with you.”
“That’s a deal. My only request is that you teach me to transform my son-in-law into someone like Leo.”
This conversation amused everyone in the room.
Sitting beside Bruno, a young man whispered, “Bruno, I suddenly had a brilliant idea.”
Bruno, who was feeling frustrated, perked up at the suggestion. “What’s the idea? Spit it out, but don’t give me some wild nonsense.”
“Did you see how that guy acted in front of Jessica? He didn’t dare to say a word. I think we can use Jessica to make Leo demonstrate the ‘kneel and present durian’ technique live. What do you think?”
This instantly brightened Bruno’s mood. He gave his peer a thumbs-up and said, “Great idea! My dad is probably calling my grandmother. Once she knows about this, she’ll definitely come. Call my grandmother’s driver and ask him to bring not one but two durians!”
Meanwhile, Sophia handed Leo a tea cup and apologized, “Leo, I’m sorry for my mom…”
“Sophia, it’s alright. We’re a married couple, and your mom is my mom. Even if she treats me unfairly, I’ll bear it. I won’t let you be uncomfortable,” Leo smiled.
Seeing Leo’s smile, Sophia felt even more guilty. “I know how you feel about me, but I don’t want you to suffer because of me.”
“Sophia, we’ve been married for four years. My ability to endure emotional stress is strong. You know that. This little hardship doesn’t mean anything.”
Leo gave a reassuring smile and proceeded to serve tea in the living room.
Watching Leo’s back, Sophia felt a warm sensation in her heart. This man was truly worthy of her love for a lifetime.
Sophia had a faint smile on her lips as she followed Leo back to the living room. Leo placed the teapot and teacups on the coffee table in order.
After Leo had placed the teapot and cups on the table, Jessica’s commanding tone resurfaced, “Why are you just standing there? Serve the guests tea!”
Leo’s expression turned cold, and he clenched his fists. He had long grown tired of Jessica’s domineering behavior, but he held back out of consideration for Sophia.
However, Jessica’s excessive demands were pushing Leo’s patience to the limit.
Sophia immediately protested, “Mom! You and everyone else here are perfectly capable of serving yourselves. Leo is not a servant. Who gave you the right to order him around?”
Sophia’s words made Leo release the tension in his fists. He looked at Sophia calmly and said, “Sophia, it’s okay. I’ll serve the guests.”
Jessica initially wanted to reprimand Sophia, but upon hearing Leo’s words, she suppressed her anger. She gave Leo a sidelong glance and said, “Leo, as a son-in-law, you should understand your role in this family. My authority in this house is absolute, and you mustn’t challenge it. If you dare to have opinions or thoughts, I’ll immediately kick you out!”
Sophia was furious. She couldn’t tolerate Jessica’s behavior towards Leo, especially in front of so many people. She exclaimed, “Mom, how can you say that to Leo? You’re being too harsh!”
While such behavior might have been tolerated in their previous home in the Happy Sunshine Community, today, in Cloud Dream Mountain Villa, with so many witnesses, Jessica’s treatment of Leo was unacceptable. Sophia wanted to remind her mother that their presence in this luxurious villa was entirely thanks to Leo, who had bought it.
Jessica seemed indifferent and retorted, “Sweetie, there’s a saying that a son-in-law is half a son. Right now, I’m his mother, so is it too much to ask him to follow his mother’s orders?”
Under the watchful eyes of others, Sophia didn’t want to engage in a public argument with her mother. To make Leo feel better, she joined him in serving tea and pouring water for their guests.
Sean entered the living room at this moment. He looked at Jessica and said, “Jessica, Mom is on her way. I told her about your purchase of Cloud Dream Mountain, and she insisted on coming to investigate.”
Jessica remained composed, unafraid of Sean’s threat. Mr. Henley had passed away five years ago, and there was no evidence to prove her fabricated explanation false.
Even if Mrs. Henley came, as long as she insisted that the villa was purchased with the 200 million dollars provided by Mr. Henley as Sophia’s dowry, no one would dare to challenge her.
Jessica responded coldly, “If someone hadn’t acted on their own, she would have been here already.”
“Jessica, is it necessary to hold onto this matter? Since Mom is coming, you should go out to greet her. If the security guards at the entrance of Cloud Dream Mountain won’t let her in, she’ll be very angry,” Sean warned with a sharp edge in his voice.
This made Jessica a little anxious. This villa had nothing to do with her, so she had no authority to instruct the security guards at the entrance.
Nervously, Jessica’s eyes darted around as she came up with an idea. She looked at Leo and once again issued a commanding tone, “Leo, did you hear that? Your grandmother is coming, and you should go out to greet her.”
Leo agreed and put down the teapot before heading outside the villa. Sophia quickly followed him.
Once they were outside, Sophia took Leo’s hand and suggested, “Leo, my mom is getting out of hand. Should we not let her stay here?”
Leo smiled and replied, “If we don’t let her stay here, she might turn the world upside down. Let it be.”
While Leo didn’t want to make a fuss, Sophia still felt guilty.
“In any case, I want to apologize to you on behalf of my mother,” Sophia said sincerely.