Chapter 5 Dinner chaos

Sophia's fingers trembled as she ended the call with Isabella. She paced around the room, her heart pounding.

"You won't believe it, babes. She's the same lady whose driver's phone I stole! She didn't recognize me, but if the driver comes here, I'm doomed!"

She glanced around nervously, making sure no one had overheard her. Taking a deep breath, she shoved her phone into her pocket and stepped out, composing herself as she walked back into the mansion.

That evening, the family gathered in the grand dining room for dinner. The long table was adorned with golden candle holders and neatly folded napkins, exuding an air of luxury. The aroma of the freshly cooked soup and swallow filled the air.

Sophia's stomach growled in anticipation as she took her seat beside Ethan. She barely had time to admire the spread before she noticed something odd: everyone was eating with cutleries.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. Who eats swallow with a fork and knife?

Without hesitation, she dipped her hand into her bowl, molded the warm, smooth swallow, and expertly dipped it into the soup before bringing it to her mouth.

The room fell silent.

Jasmine, who had been poking at her food with a fork, wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Eww! What the hell?"

Sophia paused mid-chew, glancing around. "What?"

Jasmine dropped her fork dramatically. "Why are you eating with your hands? That's so gross!"

Sophia's brows lifted. "Gross? That's how you eat swallow." She molded another piece and demonstrated.

Jasmine recoiled. "God, I'm out of here." She stood up abruptly and stormed off, shaking her head in disgust.

Grandma chuckled, shaking her head. "These modern children. Back in my day, eating with your hands was the best way to enjoy your food." She turned to Sophia. "My dear, please get me water to wash my hands."

Sophia stood up and made her way to the kitchen, ignoring the judgmental stares.

As she reached for a jug of water, she heard Jason scoff behind her. "I still can't believe she's eating with her hands."

"She enjoys it, and I don't see anything wrong with that," Ethan's voice cut in, firm and unwavering.

Sophia smirked to herself as she returned with the water.

"Here you go, Grandma," she said, handing it over.

Grandma washed her hands with a satisfied sigh before digging into her food, completely unfazed by the others' reactions.

As the meal continued, Sophia caught Jasmine glaring at her from the doorway.

If the driver ever sees me, I'm finished, she thought, her palms suddenly sweaty.

But she quickly pushed the thought aside. For now, she had bigger things to deal with like surviving in a house full of rich, judgmental people who didn't even know how to eat swallow properly.

After the food

Sophia wiped her hands with a napkin, feeling the weight of the stares still on her. Ethan's jaw was tight, his anger barely concealed as he pushed his plate away.

"What was that stunt you pulled during dinner?" His voice was low but laced with irritation as they stepped into the bedroom.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Stunt? I was eating."

"Eating?" Ethan scoffed. "You were molding swallow with your hands like we're stuck in the '60s! I told you to act classy and poised for the next two weeks not that."

She crossed her arms. "Well, I can't be that classy, poised lady you want. This is just me."

Ethan exhaled sharply, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "But I'm paying you. You have to act it for the next two weeks. Then, I promise, you can go back to your life."

Sophia let out a humorless chuckle. "So, I'm supposed to change who I am just to fit in with your snobby family?"

Ethan stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying."

"Well, then, you hired the wrong girl," she fired back.

Ethan clenched his fists. "You're impossible." With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Across the hall, Jasmine and Jason sat in her lavishly decorated room, engaged in a hushed conversation.

"Where did he get that local girl?" Jasmine sneered, flipping her hair. "Ew, I nearly threw up my intestines. How could he leave Tiffany for this?"

Jason smirked, leaning back against the chair. "You don't even like Tiffany."

"I don't like anybody," Jasmine whined. "But this... this is just humiliating."

Jason sighed, swirling the drink in his glass. "Honestly, I don't care who he's with. I just want my share of the inheritance and the company."

Jasmine turned to him with a smirk. "You know Father left the company in his care, right?"

Jason's expression darkened. "But I'm his son too."

Jasmine let out a short laugh. "Well, you were acting very irresponsible and spending recklessly. How did you think he would leave the company to you instead of Ethan?"

Jason's jaw tightened. "Speaking of spending recklessly, I think you should be talking about yourself." He shot her a pointed look before downing his drink.

Jasmine scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please."

Jason stood up. "Whatever. Just remember, sister dear, I won't let Ethan walk away with everything."

With that, he exited the room, leaving Jasmine deep in thought.