Ethan Sullivan's gaze swept indifferently over Victoria Windsor's face, his lips curling into a faint, sardonic smile.

"Mrs. Valentine's parenting skills are truly remarkable. Your daughter's 'innocence' is indeed... impressive."

The words carried a veiled insult.

They mocked Isabella Valentine's stupidity while implying Victoria's failure as a mother.

Victoria's face darkened instantly. She opened her mouth to retort—

But Ethan had already taken Sophia Laurent's hand and turned away.

Alexander Valentine followed closely behind.

Only Victoria remained rooted to the spot, trembling with rage.

Once they were out of earshot, she yanked her phone from the limited-edition Birkin bag and dialed Isabella's number.

"You stupid girl!" she shrieked the moment the call connected. "Who told you to answer Ethan's call? And letting Sophia record you!"

Isabella's voice shot up an octave. "What? She recorded me?"

"She played it for everyone just now! You've humiliated me beyond repair!"

"That bitch!" Isabella hissed through clenched teeth.

"Shut up! Use your brain next time!"

Victoria slammed the phone down.

Meanwhile, Ethan looked down at Sophia, a glimmer of approval in his eyes.

"You've learned to record conversations now?"

Sophia pressed her lips together in a small smile.

Truthfully, she'd been too furious that day to think clearly. Her finger had accidentally hit the record button.

Who knew it would become her weapon today?

In the following days, Sophia stayed indoors, focusing entirely on restoring the family genealogy.

Once completed, she personally returned it to Vincent's Porcelain.

She specifically instructed the staff to notify Kyle Grant to collect it.

Kyle arrived that very afternoon upon receiving the message.

"Mr. Grant, please take a look." Sophia handed him the restored genealogy. "Does it meet your expectations?"

She had employed the most meticulous commercial restoration techniques.

Not only had she perfectly preserved the original appearance, but even the paper texture and ink shades were flawlessly matched.

After careful inspection, Kyle's eyes lit up with admiration.

"Miss Laurent, your hands work miracles."

Vincent Grandelle, sipping tea nearby, stroked his beard proudly.

"Naturally! My apprentice is no ordinary talent."

Though antique painting restoration had nothing to do with his expertise, Sophia and Kyle exchanged an amused glance, silently choosing not to expose him.

"Kyle," Vincent set down his teacup, "you must come to my eighty-first birthday this weekend. I'll show you some treasures from my collection."

Kyle agreed readily.

Vincent then turned to Sophia. "You must come too, my dear."

Despite her dislike for Victoria and Isabella, Sophia wouldn't miss her mentor's birthday celebration.

The day of the banquet arrived swiftly.

Sophia and Ethan made a grand entrance together.

She had prepared a meticulously copied painting of Qi Baishi's shrimp—each brushstroke vibrant, the ink tones perfectly balanced, even the shrimp whiskers brimming with life.

Ethan brought a box of century-old wild ginseng.

Vincent lavished praise on the painting but barely glanced at the precious ginseng.

To every guest, he boasted, "Look at my apprentice's shrimp! They practically leap off the paper!"

Initially, the guests offered polite nods.

Upon closer inspection, however, they gasped in awe. "These shrimp are divine! She's captured Master Qi's essence perfectly!"

Soon, the entire banquet buzzed with talk of Vincent's prodigy apprentice.

When Isabella and Victoria arrived fashionably late, they were met with endless praise for Sophia.

Isabella stormed up to Vincent, clutching a longevity peach cake.

"Grandpa! I made this cake myself!"

(In truth, the family chef had prepared it.)

Vincent forced a smile. "How... thoughtful of you, Isabella."

"Then tell me," Isabella demanded petulantly, "which is better—my cake or her shrimp painting?"

Vincent chuckled evasively. "Both are wonderful."

But anyone could see the difference.

A commonplace cake.

A priceless masterpiece.

The superior choice needed no explanation.