Chapter 551

“What are you laughing at?” Tristan asked. Did I say something wrong? She’s amazing, isn’t she?

“All right, all right. You don’t have to argue with your father over me. I don’t like that. I’ll prove to the world that I’m the only one qualified to stand alongside you at the top,” Sophie said. No one can do that except me.

“You don’t have to prove to anyone!” Tristan responded.

He believed it would be impossible to win certain people over, no matter hard they tried to prove themselves.

“I know, but I want to make you happy,” Sophie said, as she believed Tristan would be just as upset if his father disapproved of her.

“Having you by my side is enough to make me happy,” Tristan assured her. We don’t need to pay attention to how others feel about us as long as we’re together.

Upon hearing that, Sophie quipped, “I bet people will be surprised if they find out how easily satisfied Mr. Tristan is.”

“Is that so? I beg to differ. Meeting you was a miracle, to begin with. It doesn’t mean I’m easily satisfied,” he explained. If finding a soulmate was as easy as she thought, she wouldn’t have waited for one to appear for so long, right?

“Thank you for doing the things you did for me, Mr. Tristan.” Sophie was touched by how serious the man was. He always does things for her without expecting anything in return.

Tristan replied, “You don’t have to say this. I’m happy to do them for you.”

Sophie hummed in response.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to celebrate William’s eightieth birthday.

Many guests would be coming to congratulate him since it was his milestone birthday.

To William, it was a significant occasion.

Early morning, Lincoln and Sarah had started preparing for the celebration in the house.

The birthday celebration would be held in the Lombard residence, and all the wealthy and influential guests were invited.

As the host, the Lombards were committed to making this event a success.

“We’re about to celebrate Dad’s birthday, but Tristan is still not back. I can turn a blind eye to the commotion he caused, but by hook or by crook, we must get him to come tonight,” Lincoln said. I don’t want the Lombards to be made a laughingstock in Yaleview.

Sarah felt helpless. “It’s not that easy. You should know how stubborn Tristan is.”

“You’re to be blamed for his stubbornness since you always spoiled him,” Lincoln expressed his disdain. He felt Sarah had always pampered Tristan because he was the youngest of them all.

“Lincoln, I don’t like how you point the finger at me. What do you mean by I spoiled him? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black,” Sarah sneered. Lincoln and Sarah had always pampered Tristan since they grew up without a mother.

“Lincoln, I don’t like how you point the finger at me. What do you mean by I spoiled him? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black,” Sarah sneered. Lincoln and Sarah had always pampered Tristan since they grew up without a mother.

“You’re right. It’s partly my fault, too,” Lincoln admitted.

Ysabelle overheard their conversation when she was coming downstairs. “Dad, Aunt Sarah.”

“Ysabelle, give your uncle a call and ask him to come over as soon as possible. The guests are arriving soon, yet he’s still not here. This is too much,” Lincoln ordered.

“I don’t dare to call him. Grandpa and Uncle Tristan are at war right now, and I don’t want to be caught between a rock and a hard place,” Ysabelle said after sticking her tongue out. I’ll be dead if I accidentally offend any of them!

“How could you say something like that? You better put a guard on your tongue. All the guests will be watching you.” Lincoln did not want the Lombards to make a fool of themselves in front of all the distinguished guests.

Yet, Ysabelle still refused to call Tristan. “Calm down. Uncle Tristan will turn up for sure.”

She believed he would even bring Sophie along.

Meanwhile, Jennifer had arrived. “Hey, Sarah! Lincoln! Ysabelle!”

“You’re early.” Ysabelle was not pleased to see Jennifer.

Upon hearing that, Jennifer responded with a gentle grin.

“I came early to see if you guys need help. I hope to do something for Old Mr. Lombard since he has always treated me well,” she said.

Yet, no one knew what was on her mind. Perhaps, she just wanted everyone to know she was the apple of William’s eye.

Lincoln said nothing in response and left to attend to other matters.

Sarah was not a big fan of Jennifer either. She thinks she could climb her way up to the top just because she managed to get in Dad’s good books? Dream on.

Likewise, Ysabelle decided not to be a people pleaser anymore.

She walked up to Sarah and said, “I’ll go out and check if Uncle Tristan is here. Since it’s a grand celebration, I bet he’ll bring Sophie along.”

Sarah hummed in acknowledgment. “All right.”

The two ladies then carried on with the preparation, leaving Jennifer alone and feeling sorry for herself.

Soon, Tristan returned home, but he came alone. Ysabelle could not help but feel a tad disappointed.

After glancing around for a few seconds, she asked, “Uncle Tristan, why did you come back alone?

Where’s Sophie? Why didn’t she come with you?”

Ysabelle could not believe Sophie had missed such an important occasion.

“She has other matters to attend to now, but she’ll be here,” Tristan responded. Sophie is a public figure now. She can’t just do anything on a whim.

He added, “Also, you should mind your own business.”

“Okay. Got it.” Ysabelle returned to her room when she learned that Sophie would be coming.

She would only come down once Sophie arrived, as she had no intention of entertaining the other guests.

Meanwhile, Jennifer was glad to see Tristan. She was even more excited when she saw him walk in alone.

“Mr. Tristan, I’m alone too. I can be your plus-one if you don’t have one.” Jennifer was not afraid to speak her mind.

Tristan did not bother to look at her. Is that what she has been thinking of? What a joker.

“No, thank you. I don’t need a plus-one!” Tristan outright rejected her.

He had always been harsh with that woman, but somehow, she kept expressing interest in him. What is wrong with her? Is she even in the right mind?

Jennifer froze right there as his response rendered her speechless. She was an articulate speaker, but when she was with Tristan, she always ran out of things to say.

“Mr. Tristan, I’ve never done anything bad to you. Why do you always give me the cold shoulder?”

Jennifer questioned him. Besides coming from a prominent family, I also have an impressive educational background, but why does he still treat me like this?

Tristan stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her.

“Jennifer, you think you’re an all-rounder, right? So what if you’re a perfect all-rounder? A trophy wife is the last thing I want in my life!” After saying that, Tristan walked away and went upstairs.

Jennifer did not catch up to him because she dared not intrude on the Lombard family’s private area.

It was hard for her to believe that Tristan did not like his partner to be a perfect individual. Does that mean he likes all of Sophie’s imperfections? But why Sophie? What is so good about her?

Jennifer stood still, thinking of ways to embarrass Sophie. She better doesn’t appear tonight. If she does, I’ll teach her a lesson. She needs to know she doesn’t belong here.

Meanwhile, William went to look for Tristan when he knew he was back. “Where’s Sophie?”