Their Queen's Back - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

To put it bluntly, he was just a pretty boy living off his mother.
"Who would've thought that after ten years, that lapdog would try to play the Tibetan mastiff!"
Skye gently patted her on the shoulder, her voice soft and reassuring.
"Let's go home together tonight—back to the Hughes."
Skye thought to herself, "Let's see how I deal with those mongrels."
"Skye... but... Dad now... he already has another woman. Ever since Linda Collins moved in, everything's changed. Sis, I... I just don't know what to do anymore..."
From Sophia's stammering words that trailed off uncertainly, Skye sensed the deep-seated grievance and self-doubt within her.
Instinctively, Skye shrank back, her heart aching for Sophia as she thought, "She must feel so wronged. I have to protect her."
Skye gazed at Sophia, her eyes brimming with heartache.
"Don't worry," she said softly. "Sis has got your back."
Sophia gazed at Skye's exquisitely refined features. "She's the one who resembles Mom the most—a perfect blend of both our parents' genes," Sophia thought.
Skye radiated an icy beauty—elegant, noble, and brimming with sophistication. Her commanding presence filled the room.
Sophia's lonely heart suddenly found its safe harbor.
"Mm," she murmured, leaning in slightly.
The Hughes Estate
Richard slammed his hand on the table in a rage, glaring at the sharp-faced woman across from him. "That ungrateful brat Sophia is really getting out of hand! Look at this mess—she actually wants to call off the engagement! I swear, when she gets back, I'm going to teach her a lesson she won't forget!"
Linda gave a gentle smile, walked over, and softly stroked Richard's back as she cooed in a sickly sweet voice, "Oh, why get upset with the child? You know I'm just their stepmother—no matter how hard I try, I'll never be their real mom, so it's only natural they don't like me. Tonight's my birthday, and all I wanted was for you and Sophia to be together. The Quinns are here too—perfect chance for both families to discuss the engagement. Who would've thought she'd dare tell Matthew she wants to call it off?"
Richard took Linda's hand and sighed. "Linda, you're truly the best. That ungrateful brat just doesn't appreciate you. You always put them first, but all they do is hold grudges against you. Don't worry—I'll make sure she comes back tonight to celebrate your birthday."
As Richard spoke, his gaze fell on her outfit—the burgundy cheongsam, the jewelry, all of it had belonged to his ex-wife. For a fleeting moment, her face flashed through his mind.
Richard frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you not to touch these things?"
Linda's face froze for a moment. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, sniveling, "Honey, I didn't mean to take sister's things. It's just... Sophia's coming home tonight, and I wanted her to feel that motherly warmth again. I truly didn't have any ulterior motives."
Hearing her words, all of Richard's anger melted away. Lowering his voice, he gently coaxed, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Sir, Madam, Young Master Matthew has arrived.
Matthew was supposed to attend a friend's banquet that evening. After waiting endlessly for Sophia, who never showed up, in his fury he told Richard about her intention to break off the engagement.
Knowing it was Linda's birthday—Richard's current wife—Matthew was sure Sophia would show up.
He ditched his friend's party and headed straight over to find her.
Unless Sophia comes to me with a groveling apology, calling off the engagement is completely off the table.
Oh, Matthew, what brings you here? I thought it was just your parents coming.
Uncle Hughes, I'm here to see Sophia. Hasn't she come back yet?
Before Richard could answer, Linda smiled sweetly and chimed in, her tone both caring and a little reproachful: "She'll be here soon, soon. Your Uncle Hughes just reminded her to be careful on the way. Honestly, I just don't get why this child insists on staying out there when home is so much better and safer, you know? There's no place like home, don't you agree?" She let out a dramatic sigh.
Matthew said, "Linda's absolutely right—Sophia is just too immature. Last night she made a scene about breaking off our engagement, saying she wanted to cut all ties with me. I was willing to let it slide, but when I went to see her this morning, she treated me with utter contempt."
Richard said, "Don't worry! When that ungrateful girl gets back, I'll make sure she learns her lesson the hard way."
With Skye's careful styling, Sophia appeared in a stunning white gown, her makeup flawless, radiating gentle purity and graceful elegance. Everyone in the room was left in awe, unable to look away.
"Such a beautiful woman," someone couldn't help but think.
Matthew had never seen Sophia look so regal and stunning before—his heart raced uncontrollably.
Linda narrowed her beady, snake-like eyes. "That little bitch," she thought venomously.
"Wow, who's that? She's absolutely stunning," someone exclaimed.
"You don't know? That's Sophia Hughes, the second daughter of the Hughes—she's engaged to Matthew, the young master of the Quinns."
"She's stunning! I heard she moved out of the family home really young."
Sophia strode straight up to Richard, not even glancing at Matthew or the Quinns.
"I'm back," she said coldly. "I'm taking everything from your room, one by one."
Linda exclaimed dramatically and reached out to take her hand.
Sophia coldly brushed her off.
Linda's face stiffened.
"Oh, Sophia dear," Linda cooed, her tone syrupy sweet. "I know you may have your reservations about Auntie, but you and your father are still family, after all. How can you be so cold to your own flesh and blood, hmm? And what's all this talk about taking things away? This is your home—you're always welcome to come back and stay anytime you like."
Sophia's eyes flashed with scorn. "'Come back anytime?' she thought bitterly.
They kicked me out seven years ago and never once wanted me back. This house was my mother's, and now they've taken it over as if it was always theirs."
She used to be useless and incapable.
But now things are different—her sister is back. "Even if all hell breaks loose," her sister promised, "I've got your back."
Sophia mustered all her courage, finally overcoming her self-doubt, and shouted, "Family? What kind of family are you to me? You're nothing but a homewrecker! Seven years ago, you and Dad kicked me out of this house, and now you have the nerve to talk about family? Shameless! I'm disgusted by you people!"
Linda was stunned that Sophia, who had always been so submissive, would talk back. A calculating glint flashed in her eyes as she clung to Richard's arm.
In a pitiful voice, she whimpered, "Oh Richard, I knew Sophia never liked me. Maybe I should just leave... I don't want to be a burden to your family."
Richard bellowed, "Sophia, have you grown too bold for your own good? How dare you speak to Linda like that! Apologize this instant, or don't blame me for what comes next!"
Sophia sneered, "What? Going to hit me again? I dare you!"
"You—!" Richard's face flushed with rage.
It just so happened that members of the Quinns and several of his close associates were present today. The birthday gathering was kept modest, with only a select few invited.
Wilma Quinn had always held the Hughes in contempt. Swirling her wine glass, she cast a disdainful sidelong glance at Sophia.
With a sneer, she said, "I must say, I've never seen such an ill-mannered woman—arguing with your parents the moment you walk in. Sophia, someone like you clearly doesn't belong with the Quinns."
Hearing this, Richard panicked—he couldn't afford to lose this marriage alliance with the Quinns.
Forcing a smile, he quickly said, "The child is just being childish. I'll discipline her properly—it won't happen again. Matthew, you and my daughter have been engaged for three years now. When do you plan to get married?"
Before Matthew could say a word, Wilma spoke up first: "Frankly, the Hughes is unworthy of the Quinns—you know your own standing. If it weren't for my son's pity for Sophia, your daughter would never have secured this engagement. Let me be clear: to become a daughter-in-law of the Quinns, she must master the four arts, excel at household duties, and serve her in-laws impeccably. And in a prominent family like ours, marriage doesn't mean my son will be limited to one woman. If he takes an interest in other girls, your daughter had better not interfere or bring shame to our family."
Richard kept nodding obsequiously, saying, "Yes, yes, of course."
Matthew stood to the side, watching Sophia with a smug, self-satisfied look.
His disdainful gaze seemed to say, "See?"
Only your family has to kowtow to ours.
I'm the one who can discard you, so you'd better behave yourself.
Wilma continued haughtily, "Furthermore, once Sophia marries into our family, she is forbidden from working outside the home. As a Quinn, it would be disgraceful for her to be parading herself in public every day. After the wedding, she must bear a son for our family as soon as possible—if it's a daughter, then she's utterly useless. After marriage, her only duty is to serve my son wholeheartedly: dressing him, feeding him, even bathing him. That is the least she must do."
Richard nodded eagerly. "Absolutely, absolutely. A woman's place is to revolve around her husband."