Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 27

**Chapter 27**

“Mm,” Easton grunted as he took a long sip from his glass of water, the cool liquid seeming to offer him a momentary reprieve from whatever was bothering him.

Irene, perched on the edge of her seat with her reading glasses perched low on her nose, scrutinized him with a mixture of concern and maternal instinct. “Your stomach again? Don’t you dare develop some health issues at your age. I’m still waiting for you to give me a great-grandkid.” Her voice was laced with playful urgency, but as soon as the words left her mouth, a wave of regret washed over her.

She quickly glanced at Sophia, who was standing awkwardly nearby, her eyes wide. “God, ignore me!” Irene exclaimed, tapping her mouth in a gesture of self-reprimand.

Sophia felt the heat rise to her cheeks, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. Family discussions like this weren’t meant for someone like her—an outsider in their world. Yet, Irene’s flustered correction was so endearing that a smile crept onto Sophia’s face, despite her discomfort.

Irene’s gaze softened as she looked at Sophia, pure adoration evident in her eyes. The warmth of that look made Sophia feel a little more at ease, and she couldn’t help but relax in the moment.

However, sensing that the conversation was becoming increasingly intimate and that she might be overstaying her welcome, Sophia decided it was best to excuse herself. “I should be going,” she said quickly, her voice a blend of urgency and politeness.

Irene, despite her desire to see Easton and Sophia rekindle their connection, understood that being too obvious might scare Sophia away next time. So, with a subtle nod, she signaled for Grace to walk Sophia to the door.

Not long after Sophia stepped out, Easton, who had remained quiet until then, suddenly announced, “I’m heading out, too. The office is stacked with stuff today. I’ll come see you next week, Grandma.” His voice was casual, but there was an underlying current of responsibility in his tone.

He leaned down to give Irene a quick, gentle hug, the kind that spoke volumes of their bond, before he turned and left the room.

Unbeknownst to Sophia, Easton was not far behind her, his footsteps quickening as he followed her out.

As Sophia reached the front desk, the nurse, her voice bubbling with excitement, called out, “Mrs. Foster! Did Mr. Foster bring the bracelet you left here back to you?”

“But I never expected Crestview Group to reject my offer and try ganging up with Prosperity Group against Foster Group,” Sophia retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. She was baffled by his casual dismissal of her concerns, and her temper flared at the implication behind his words.

She fought to keep her annoyance in check and replied coolly, “There’s nothing to hide here. If Foster Group can bid for the southern project, Crestview Group can too. And about the marriage alliance, I don’t see why I owe you an explanation.”

The moment she finished speaking, Easton moved with surprising speed, seizing her wrist and pulling her closer to him. “So, you really plan on tying yourself to another family again, huh?” he asked, his voice taut with tension.

Sophia was taken aback by his sudden action and instinctively yanked her hand free. “It has nothing to do with you,” she snapped, her heart racing.

“Fine.” Easton’s expression darkened, his voice dropping to an icy edge that sent a chill down her spine. “We’ll see about that.”

As she watched him walk away, Sophia felt a whirlwind of emotions crashing inside her. *He seriously believes the southern project is already his? God, what an arrogant jerk—absolutely infuriating,* she thought, seething with frustration and disbelief.