"Sophie treating us to dinner. This is a first. What''s the asion? Is there some drama unfolding?"


    Adler was excited, and at this moment, the waiter had already started serving dishes.


    Sophie said, "Keep it down. The soundproofing in the Regent Hotel''s private room isn''t great."


    "Really?" Adler looked puzzled.


    Across the table, Colby was silently picking bones out of Sophie''s fish, acting like a loyal puppy by her side.


    "Mr. Briggs, this way, please. Madam Bea has been waiting for a while."


    Marian politely ushered Mr. Briggs in, but unexpectedly, Mr. Briggs had brought Ricardo along.


    Seeing her grandson''s rival take a seat, Bea was visibly irritated.RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Mr. Briggs, however, seemed unfazed, saying, "Ricardo is like a son to me. After hearing that the illustrious Bea Burke wanted to dine with us, I thought bringing him along for the experience was fitting. Hope that''s not an issue?"


    "If I say it''s an issue, would he leave?"


    Bea wasn''t in the mood for pleasantries. After all, the Burke family was a leading enterprise in Devonport, and although the Freeman family was well-educated, they couldn''tpete with the Burke family''s wealth and influence!


    In Bea''s mind, extending an invitation to Mr. Briggs was already giving the Freeman family considerable respect!


    Mr. Briggs not only failed to appreciate the gesture, but he even brought Ricardo along.


    "This spread is quitevish, thanks to your hospitality." Ricardo seated himself without waiting for an invitation, disregarding Bea''s feelings.


    Bea coldly remarked, "It seems manners arecking in Bloomsbury. I heard that the Cloude family came from humble beginnings. It''s no surprise they act this way."


    "Bea, you seem to have many opinions about me."


    "Hmph, you''re a man who steals another''s bride. Do you really expect me to wee you with a smile?" Bea''s words wereced with venom.


    Initially skeptical of Sophie''s words, Mr. Briggs was now fully convinced. What kind of future would his daughter have if she married into the Burke family? Meanwhile, Sophie was enjoying her meal at a leisurely pace while Adler and Jenna, who had been chatting earlier, quietly started snacking on nuts.


    They all thought, ''The soundproofing really is terrible! But they were enjoying the drama.''


    Sophie heard the escting tension and was quite satisfied.


    Had Mr. Briggs been the only guest, Bea might have deigned to engage in polite conversation. But Mr. Briggs had brought Ricardo, and this was undoubtedly a slight against Bea. If someone disrespected Bea, she would make sure they were put in their ce.


    "m-!"


    Sure enough, Mr. Briggs mmed the table, his voice cold. "Bea, Ricardo is my son-inw. By speaking so, you are disrespecting us!"


    "The child Nichole is carrying is my grandson! Naturally, they should be part of the Burke family, and perhaps, Mr. Briggs, you should consider your daughter''s wishes!"


    "As her father, I have a say! Mr. Burke neglected his wife and my daughter alike. I will never allow my daughter to marry a heartless man like James!"


    "You!" Bea stood up, furious. "Briggs, how dare you! Don''t forget, this is Devonport! Who''s in charge here?"


    "So, the Burke family being in charge means you can do whatever you want? Let me tell you, I will never agree to my daughter marrying into your family!"


    "Howughable. If it weren''t for your


    shameless daughter hooking up with my grandson''s bed and getting pregnant, do you think I''d let such a tainted woman enter the Burke, family''s doors?" Bea harshly


    retorted, "Moreover, whether Nichole is truly the Freeman heiress is another matter. She''s a woman so prone to lying. Who knows if she''s swapped identities again!"


    "Old hag! How dare you!"


    Mr. Briggs''s face turned livid.


    Ricardo''s brow furrowed slightly.


    vel


    Bea sneered, "Did you know your daughter has killed someone? Ask your precious daughter. It''s not the first time she''s stolen someone''s identity. Moreover, it was your daughter who sobbed to me yesterday, saying she wished to marry into the Burke family. I considered giving her a chance because she''s pregnant, but you''re so ungrateful!"


    Once Ricardo heard that Nichole sought out Bea, a chill ran through him.


    Bea persisted, "She confessed that your esteemed son-inw forced her to be with him Her heart has always been with James. Mr. Briggs, I must say, be careful not to pick the wrong daughter. You might bring disaster upon yourself without knowing!"


    Mr. Briggs, enraged, retorted, "Fine, you nder my daughter like this! Don''t dream of her marrying into the Burke family! Even the child she''s carrying won''t be a Burke. I won''t allow it!"