James Campbell approached Old Master, seemingly oblivious to the unusual atmosphere around him, and introduced Melody Baker and Sophie to the Old Master, saying, "Dad, this is Melody, and this is my daughter, Sophie. They heard that today is your birthday and specially came to wish you well."
Melody Baker wanted to marry into the Campbell Family, and Sophie sought to become a legitimate daughter of the Campbell Family. Only with the Old Master’s recognition could they solidify their status in the Campbell Family and even the entire upper-class circle.
Therefore, in front of the Old Master, they had prepared to be on their best behavior, adopting a demure and humble demeanor upon meeting him.
Such behavior, while it might appear obedient in an ordinary household, seemed contrived and petty to these worldly-wise onlookers.
"If one is not fit to be seen in public, it holds true no matter how much jewelry adorns their person, it can’t hide their inherent lowliness."
Among these businessmen, many maintained mistresses, so their lawful wives particularly despised someone like Melody Baker, a seductress, naturally they had no favorable opinion of her.
Watching the cold expression on Old Master’s face, James Campbell smiled awkwardly, but still made a point of pushing his daughter forward, "Sophie, come on, give the gift you’ve prepared to grandpa."
James intended for Sophie to make an appearance, presenting a picture of fatherly love and filial piety that left the surrounding guests with indescribable expressions.
However, everyone assumed that the Old Master would hold back for the sake of face in such a setting, at least to save some face for James Campbell. They were caught off guard when the Old Master didn’t even wait for Sophie to approach before lazily glancing at her.
"Your daughter? Isn’t Elly your daughter? Have I become senile? When did I get another granddaughter that I don’t know about?"
As soon as the words fell, the faces of James Campbell and his daughter Sophie froze in an instant.
James had not anticipated such a lack of face from the Old Master. Seeing Sophie pale, his heart softened in an instant, and his face grew even more irritated.
But he dared not confront the Old Master directly, only lowering his voice, pleading, "Dad, no matter what, Sophie is my daughter. Please give me some respect."
"Hmph! Do you have any respect in front of me? When you don’t care for your own dignity, why would others give you any?"
The voice of Old Master boomed loud, deep and forceful, making it clear he had no intention of leaving any dignity for James and his party in front of so many people. With these words shouted out, the face of James Campbell instantly turned ashen.
Still not satisfied, the Old Master turned his gaze toward a pale-faced Sophie, asking coldly, "Your name is Sophie Baker?"
Sophie was already scared witless by the Old Master’s initial onslaught; like James, she too had believed the Old Master would not make a scene on this occasion, but she was wrong...
Seeing the piercing intensity in Old Master’s gaze, Sophie instinctively shuddered and took an involuntary step back.
Seeing her petty demeanor, Old Master was quite disdainful and his disgust grew even more prominent. Besides, he had not intended to let the mother-daughter duo have it easy today.
They dared come to his birthday banquet to challenge him, without bothering to find out what kind of man Henry Campbell was.
"Grand... Grandpa, it’s me, I’m Sophie."
"Don’t rush to claim kinship."
Old Master dismissively raised his hand, and then his gaze shifted to an ashen-faced James, saying,
"Have we verified for sure that she is indeed a Campbell? Our Campbell children each bear a strong moral character, they don’t engage in seducing someone else’s husband or in destroying another family’s peace."