Chapter 541
Willow, who had been hiding in a corner the entire time, grew green with envy when she overheard the conversation.
What the hell? I’ve become a joke in Jipsdale, and even my classmates look down on me, yet Grandpa has never spared a thought for me! I’m the one who needs Tanner Group the most, not Sophie! Argh! Does he intend to give her all his assets?
What Willow didn’t realize, however, was that the more she seethed, the uglier her scowl became.
Unfortunately, she was so engrossed in her thoughts that she knocked over a vase beside her and sent it crashing onto the floor.
In a moment of panic, she stepped on the broken shards, only to cut her foot so badly that it started to bleed.
Josiah quickly walked toward the source of the commotion with Sophie and Tristan, and it wasn’t long before they found Willow standing in the corner.
Upon seeing her in such a wretched state, the old man couldn’t help but frown. Why is she behaving so sneakily? Isn’t she also a member of the Tanner family? Such behavior is just downright embarrassing!
“How long have you been here?”
Willow clenched her fists.
“Grandpa, isn’t this also my house? Why can’t I be here?” she snapped, annoyed at how biased her grandfather sounded.
“Yes, this is your house, but if there’s anything you want to know, you should be joining us in the living room instead of eavesdropping!”
Josiah hadn’t wanted to be so blunt, but he could tell from Willow’s expression that any attempt to knock sense into her would be futile.
The grimace on Willow’s face deepened.
“Morgan!” Josiah shouted.
Within seconds, the butler hurried over with a concerned look. “What’s the matter, Old Mr. Tanner? Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine. Send Willow to the hospital.”
Willow immediately flinched and took a step back.
“No. I refuse to go to the hospital. Since none of you like me, why do you even care if I live or die? Leave me alone!” she thundered.
Now that she had been caught in a painful predicament, Willow felt as if the whole world was against her, and she was the one who had suffered the most.
Even then, I don’t need anyone’s pity! I’ll rise to the top one day and prove my worth to everyone!
Just then, Charmaine walked down the stairs and gaped at the sight of Willow bleeding.
“Willa, what happened to you? Let’s get you to the hospital!” she exclaimed as she ran up to her daughter.
Alas, Willow flung her mother’s hand away.
“Leave me be! Is everyone ashamed of me? Am I just a huge letdown to you?”
I did everything I could to be with Clayton, but look what happened to him… I’m now the biggest joke in town!
“I’m sure you think I deserve all of these, Sophie. You must be happy to see me in such a pathetic state!” Willow added.
Sophie instantly furrowed her brows.
“What has your plight got to do with me? Do you think I’m that free to keep a constant eye on you? You’re the one who has been making me out to be your imaginary enemy, Willow. I’ve never bothered myself with your affairs before!”
“Ha! What a way to put it!” Willow scoffed, not at all believing her sister’s words. “I think we’ve all heard enough. You and Tristan can head home first!”
Is Sophie really that powerful that she doesn’t care at all? No, I doubt it. I’m sure she’s afraid that I’ll outshine her! In any case, it’s not like she needs to come back here. Why can’t she be contented with her life and leave us alone? She doesn’t need to lord over us again!
The next second, Willow glanced at Tristan. For a man of his caliber and status, he seemed perfectly happy to stand quietly by Sophie.
He was undeniably brilliant and outstanding, yet he had no qualms about staying out of the limelight and being Sophie’s silent protector.
Naturally, that only made women even more jealous of Sophie.
To make matters worse for Willow, Tristan had never once bothered to look at her.
Oh, he must also think I’m a piece of trash! How infuriating!
“Get some rest, Grandpa. Willow doesn’t seem to be in pain, so let’s not worry about her. Besides, she won’t die from such a minor injury!” Sophie uttered.
Why fret over her when her life’s not in any danger? Ha! I’ve suffered far worse injuries than this. She’ll be fine…
“Sophie, how could you say that? Who caused Willow to end up in this state?”
“Are you insinuating it’s me?” Sophie retorted. “Oh, right, I was the one who sent Clayton to jail! Your daughter tried everything she could to marry a murderer, and if it weren’t for me, she’d have become a murderer’s wife! Shouldn’t she be thanking me instead?”
Even though the mention of Clayton’s name drove Willow even further up the wall, she didn’t dare say anything else.
After all, Clayton Zales was the one mistake she had to live with for the rest of her life.
“Let’s go!” Sophie said. I wouldn’t have come home if it weren’t for Grandpa. This family is the absolute worst!
“Okay,” Tristan replied before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and walking toward Josiah. “We’ll be taking our leave now, Old Mr. Tanner. Do rest early.”
I did everything I could to be with Clayton, but look what happened to him… I’m now the biggest joke in town!
“Go on! And don’t come back here in the future. I’ll look for you guys if you miss me. This family isn’t worth your trouble.”
Seeing how upset Josiah was, Sophie felt an ache in her heart.
“Grandpa, why don’t you come live with me?” Not only will Grandpa have me to take care of him, but he will also be away from these ridiculous people. It’s a win-win situation!
“That’s enough, Soph. This is my house, and I can’t just up and leave it.”
“You should go, Ms. Sophie. Don’t worry about Old Mr. Tanner. He’ll be fine with me looking after him,” Morgan said.
Poor Ms. Sophie. She finally paid a visit, yet Ms. Willow has to lash out at her. These sisters don’t get along well at all…
Thankfully, Sophie promptly agreed.
In all honesty, Morgan was the only person she could trust Josiah with. Otherwise, she’d have whisked her grandfather away a long time ago.
With that, Tristan left with Sophie while Willow remained frozen in her spot.
H-Have I become a joke yet again?
“Clean up your wounds if you refuse to go to the hospital! Sophie’s right about it being a minor injury. You’ll live. Also, don’t forget that Sophie’s paying for everything now. You get to eat and stay here comfortably because of her hard-earned money! The least you can do is show some gratitude!” Josiah scolded before letting Morgan lead him upstairs.
Willow still doesn’t know how to be grateful, so I’ll have to teach her a lesson. She has to learn that not everyone will give in to her. Once she steps into society, she’ll realize what a cruel place it is. But more importantly, she’ll see that everything she has endured is merely the tip of the iceberg!
Meanwhile, Sophie had been lost in her thoughts since leaving the Tanner residence. Noticing that, Tristan decided to drive to the hot spring resort.
It was only when they had reached the resort that Sophie finally snapped out of her daze.
“What are we doing at the resort? It isn’t the weekend yet! Didn’t we agree to come here once a week on the weekends?”
“I think you could use some relaxation, so that’s why we’re here. Besides, the resort is ours. We can come whenever we like!” Tristan said with a chuckle. What Sophie needs the most now is a nice, long dip in the hot springs.
“Are you worried about me? Is it because of Willow?”
“Oh, I know you can’t be bothered with Willow. The only Tanner family member you care about is your grandfather!”
