“I might really have to trouble my aunt and uncle in the future.” Bai Zhijin sighed. “My mother’s health is not good to begin with, and my father got angry again this time. I’m really worried about their health in the future.”

Huo Junyang didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only hold her in his arms and gently pat her back.

“By the way,” he frowned, “wasn’t Bai Zhibu’s return to China this time to arrange her marriage with Song Wan? How… how did Sophia suddenly appear out of nowhere?”

“My brother never intended to marry Song Wan.” Bai Zhijin looked at him. “Besides, he didn’t come back this time for the wedding; it’s just because his overseas company isn’t doing well…”

"ah?"

“Overseas markets have never been our family’s strong suit. Over the years, my father has always entrusted the overseas business to my brother. Firstly, he felt that since he received an overseas education from a young age, he might be able to manage it with ease. Secondly, he hoped that my brother could achieve something and shut up the gossip of our relatives and clansmen. But my brother has also had a tough time overseas. The market there is already saturated, and there are many barriers. It’s really not easy to make a name for yourself in a predominantly white society.”

Huo Junyang suddenly realized, "So your brother came back this time to request support from headquarters?"

Bai Zhijin nodded and sighed softly, "If he could successfully marry Song Wan, my parents would be so happy that they might ask headquarters to provide him with support. But no one expected him to bring back Sophia!"

"Don't worry," Huo Junyang reassured her. "Given the relationship between our two families, the Huo family won't stand idly by if anything happens to the Bai family! The most important thing right now is to put Uncle Bai at ease and prevent his condition from worsening!"

Bai Zhijin leaned against his chest; only this embrace could make her feel warm and at ease now.

However, at this moment, the Bai family was putting on another good show.

James made a mess of the yard. When he got tired of playing, he wanted to eat, so he bossed around the Bai family's servants, ordering them to get him something to eat.

The servants already disliked this mixed-race child, and they all pretended not to hear him. As a result, James walked around in his dirty shoes, leaving his shoe prints all over the sofa and carpet.

He stomped on it while cursing in English.

Upon hearing this, Sophia not only did not stop him, but also praised her son for his good scolding. She immediately adopted the demeanor of a young mistress and ordered the servants to cook.

During dinner, Sophia deliberately used Yao Wanyin's tableware—a set of tableware that Bai Jingyuan had bought at a high price at a European auction and gave to Yao Wanyin as a gift for their tenth wedding anniversary.

Then, by accident, the soup spoon was dropped on the ground, and the precious bone china shattered into pieces.

The servants dared not speak out, rolling their eyes at the mother and son, whispering among themselves: "It's true what they say, when the cat's away, the mice will play... With the master and mistress at the sanatorium, this place has become the domain of this slovenly mother and son!"

"Alright, everyone, say less." The old butler, Uncle Xin, looked at them with a solemn expression, then walked towards Sophia and her son.

To everyone's surprise, Sophia spoke first: "What, you want to interfere with me too?"

“I wouldn’t dare,” Xinbo smiled. “I just want to advise you, Miss, that you should take care of your own child. You should teach your child basic manners and respect. If you don’t want to take care of your child now, society will take care of him in the future, and then… it won’t look good for anyone.”

Sophia flung her chopsticks away, stood up abruptly, and glared angrily.

"Who do you think you are? Just because you're the head steward of the Bai family, you dare to talk to me like that? You're nothing more than a dog kept by the Bai family, just one that's been kept for a long time!"

"Sophia!" Bai Ruogu walked over from the side, somewhat displeased.

Xinbo's face was very unpleasant, but he still maintained his respect for the host family and bowed slightly.

“Xinbo, I’m so sorry,” Bai Ruogu said in a low voice. “Sophia has lived abroad for many years and her Chinese isn’t very good. She may not have expressed herself well. She didn’t mean it.”

“Young Master,” Uncle Xin said earnestly, “I’ve watched you grow up, and you’ve never disappointed your parents. How come this time…”

"Alright, Xinbo, I'll handle their relationship. You should go and get some rest."

Xinbo had nothing to say and could only turn around and leave.

Sophia was about to complain to Bai Ruogu when Bai Ruogu glared at her. "Uncle Xin is the family's old housekeeper and the person my father trusts most! The tone you used just now was really inappropriate!"

"What, you blame me?" Sophia put on a pitiful look, tears welling up immediately. "I knew it, you would eventually side with your parents and reject us, mother and child! We are superfluous in this family, I'll take the child and leave, okay!"

“Sophia…”

Bai Ruogu quickly stopped her, his anger subsiding considerably. He coaxed and comforted her, finally managing to calm the woman down.

Then he sat down at the table, held James on his lap, and fed him like a loving father.

Sophia curled her lips. Anyway, she had already put on a good show, and she wasn't really going to leave the Bai family.

Having climbed onto the powerful Bai family's coattails, why would she leave so easily?

“Ruogu,” she stood behind Bai Ruogu, bent down and hugged him, nuzzling her face against his, “Is the company in America… completely beyond saving?”

Bai Ruogu paused, his brows furrowed in worry.

"Did you talk to your dad? Can headquarters allocate funds?"

“Dad’s meaning is a bit unclear,” Bai Ruogu said truthfully, “but Mom thinks that overseas markets are not our strength, and it would be best to take this opportunity to scale back across the board…”

"What? This won't do!"

Sophia's eyes widened. This wasn't how she had planned it. She thought that by coming back this time, Bai Ruogu could not only cancel the engagement but also get the money, so they could go back to America together and continue their carefree life.

But now it seems that with Yao Wanyin as a stumbling block, things won't go so smoothly.

"Ruogu, if headquarters doesn't provide us with support, then we'll have to find a way ourselves!"

Bai Ruogu was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Sophia smiled, leaned close to him and whispered, "Do you know Master Qiao? I've been in contact with him recently. Master Qiao has two mines in Yun City that he plans to auction off."

"mine?"

“That’s right! Mineral prices are currently low. If we buy low and sell high, we can make a profit, right? I heard that several other companies in Yangcheng are also inquiring about this… Don’t worry, I will continue to contact Master Qiao to find out the bottom price. We definitely won’t miss this opportunity!”