Sophia reached out and grabbed Adrian, yanking the painting from behind him. After displacing Adrian to one side, she unfurled the painting and took a look.
But there was nothing unusual. It was just an ordinary landscape painting.
Adrian was livid to see his painting taken away. He tried to jump and retrieve it, but to no avail. Sophia was much taller than him and out of reach.
âGive it back! Give me my painting back!â
Sophia flipped the painting over and examined the back, but still found nothing amiss.
However, after seeing the flustered and frustrated look on Ellinorâs spoiled brat, she couldnât help but feel a sense of satisfaction. So, she deliberately didnât return the painting.
Adrianâs clamor roused Thaddeus, Bertha, and Lea.
âSophia, whatâs going on? Whatâs the kid fussing about?â Thaddeus emerged from his room, posing the question with an air of authority.
Sophia flashed her father a smile. âDad, itâs nothing. The kid insisted on running out by himself. I tried to stop him, and now heâs throwing a tantrum.â
Bertha, seeing the flustered and sweaty Tristan, beckoned him over with a tender wave. Tristan, come here; come to Grandma and Grandpa. You canât run out by yourself. Grandma will put on a cartoon for you.â
Adrian was angry with Sophia and didnât know Thaddeus and Bertha well enough to consider them grandparents.
He didnât heed Berthaâs sympathy and continued to jump, trying to reach for the painting Sophia held. âI donât want to watch cartoons! I want my painting! Give my painting back to me!â
Bertha was helpless, but not angry.
Thaddeus, however, was somewhat irritated by the childâs disobedience and snorted. âThatâs the kind of child Marcus has spoiled. He has no manners whatsoever! Sophia, does he always treat you with such an attitude?â
Sophia sighed with a hint of grievance. âAh, Dad, Iâve gotten used to it. But this kid isnât spoiled by Marcus. Marcus is quite strict with him. Itâs just that this kid⦠I donât know who heâs taken after, but heâs just so disobedient.â
Who had the kid taken after?
The moment Sophia said this, Thaddeus thought of the childâs origin and felt a sense of disdain.
Indeed, blood that wasnât his own was always off-putting.
Just then, Lea stepped up, speaking in defense of her little nephew. âI think Tristan is quite well-
behaved. Heâs not as willful as you make him out to be, Sophia.â
Sophia glanced at Lea, her eyes concealed with disdain. âHow long have you been around him? You havenât seen his mischievous side at all âI may not see it because you always keep Tristan cooped up at home. You donât let him socialize. Itâs hard for me to see what I canât witness.
However, I do know why Tristan is throwing this tantrum now. Isnât it because you took the painting I gave him? If you donât return it, of course, heâs going to be worried.â
Thaddeus and Bertha finally noticed the rolled-up painting in Sophiaâs hand. She held it high, intentionally out of Tristanâs reach, while he incessantly attempted to grab it.
Sophia looked at Lea with a smile that was barely different from a scowl. âLea, you are misunderstanding me again. I didnât take Tristanâs painting on purpose. I was just worried that he took it from you without understanding the consequences. I was going to return it to you.â
Lea furrowed her brows. Her dislike for Sophia was deepening.
Who would suspect their own child of theft?
She used to think that Sophia, who went to great lengths to snatch her man, would love Tristan because he was part of that man.
Now, it seemed like she thought too highly of Sophia.
Sophia was fundamentally selfish. Even her love was selfish