Chapter 79

"Read it yourself." Emily Laurent shoved her phone forward. "The 'Perfect Match' legend—the young lover died tragically. Your uncle wrote this Marriage Pledge for you and Daniel Clementson, then Daniel had his accident soon after. The parallels are uncanny."

Sophia Lowell rolled her eyes. "As if Uncle could predict the future."

"Even if he couldn't, he clearly didn't approve of your relationship." Emily's tone was final.

Sophia's fingers stilled. The cold smile returned as she recalled the conversation she'd overheard earlier. "He wouldn't waste time on such trivial matters."

"Trivial?" Emily snatched back the parchment. "This is bad luck. Burn it and rewrite it."

"Stop bothering him." Sophia frowned.

"I'm his sister-in-law. Why would it be a bother?" Emily waved her off, then paused, eyeing the fruit platter. "Wait—you love lychees. Why only cherries today?"

Sophia looked down. Over half the cherries were gone.

She'd researched it weeks ago—lychees were unsafe during pregnancy.

"Too much heat lately," she lied.

"I'll ask Margaret to make hasma soup."

"No need. We're leaving after the fitting."

Emily huffed and led her to the bedroom.

Sophia gasped at the designer pieces strewn across the bed. "How did you afford all this?"

"Found a lucrative opportunity." Emily twirled her diamond ring smugly.

"What business earns two million in two days?" Sophia paled. "This isn't some scam, is it?"

"Ridiculous!" Emily snapped. "Plenty of society wives invested. What could go wrong?"

"Money doesn't fall from the sky."

"I put in my emergency funds—of course I did my research." Emily shoved past her. "I buy you gifts, and this is the thanks I get?"

Sophia grabbed her wrist. "Aunt Emily, I just don't want you cheated."

"Cheated how?" Emily wrenched free. "Worst case, I lose a few million. I can handle that."