The little girl’s face was filled with sorrow and vulnerability, as fragile as glass, and the sight sent a sharp pain through Sophia Shaw’s heart.

She could almost imagine how miserable Lillian Forrest’s childhood must have been.

"Lillian, whatever happens in the family is just a coincidence. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether you were born or not."

"You’re not bad luck."

"Thank you, Sophie." Lillian Forrest took a deep breath. "My brother tells me the same thing. Don’t worry, I won’t give up on myself anymore."

"Even if I’m blind, I’ll still live a good life."

"That’s the spirit."

Sophia Shaw helped Lillian Forrest change into the dress.

In the mirror, the girl was just blossoming into a young woman, slender and graceful.

The pink dress brought a healthy blush to her small face, making her whole being radiate with life.

When Jenson Forrest walked in, he heard a girl’s cheerful giggle.

He looked up and saw a figure in soft pink twirling in front of the mirror.

For a moment, he thought he was seeing things.

"Sir," a servant said, walking over.

The sound startled Lillian Forrest.

Lillian Forrest, still standing before the mirror, turned her face in Jenson Forrest’s direction. "Brother, do you like my pink dress?"

Jenson Forrest had raised his little sister for so long, but he’d never realized how well pink suited her complexion.

She was so full of life now, completely unlike her usual self.

It made Jenson Forrest feel as if his memory of the listless, timid Lillian of the past was just an illusion.

"It’s beautiful," he said in a low voice, walking over.

The girl’s flower-like smile sent a flood of emotions through him. "When did you buy this dress? Why didn’t you ask your brother to go shopping with you?"

"I didn’t go shopping. Sophie gave it to me."

The girl’s small face glowed with the sweetness of being doted on.

"She said I look good in pink and that I should buy more colorful clothes in the future."

"Sophia?"

Jenson Forrest looked around.

The servant spoke up, "Miss Shaw came over to tutor Miss Lillian for over an hour. She’s already left."

"Brother, I really, really like Sophie."

Lillian Forrest twirled in front of the mirror, her voice clearer than a silver bell.

Jenson Forrest’s heart began to thump uncontrollably.

Only he knew what unspoken secret was hidden in that feeling.

After the lesson, Sophia Shaw changed into a pale lilac qipao.

For Old Mrs. Grant’s birthday banquet, it wouldn’t do to be too extravagant, but she couldn’t be too casual either.

The qipao was elegant and tasteful—the perfect choice.

Initially, she hadn’t planned on bringing Bun.

But the child was, after all, of Grant family blood. Elder Grant had already shown great kindness by allowing her to leave with the child after the divorce.

She didn’t want to be too selfish.

Sophia Shaw changed Bun into a small tulle dress with a qipao-style design, in a color similar to her own.

As she carried the child downstairs, she received a call from Vincent Grant. "Where are you? I’ll come pick you up."

They were husband and wife; arriving separately wouldn’t look good.

Besides, today was Old Mrs. Grant’s birthday banquet, an occasion that valued couples and family togetherness.

Sophia Shaw didn’t want Vincent Grant to know where she lived. "I’ll get there myself. Just wait for me at the Grant Manor Entrance."

He didn’t argue and simply agreed.

When she arrived at the Grant Manor Entrance, Vincent Grant and Cedric Grant were already waiting.

The father and son were dressed in coordinating suits. Vincent Grant was refined and captivating, while Cedric Grant was handsome and eye-catching.

Sophia Shaw placed Bun in her stroller and walked over gracefully.

The qipao’s mandarin collar was fastened snugly, revealing a stretch of her long, slender neck. The form-fitting design perfectly accentuated her curves.

Sophia Shaw wasn’t reed-thin; she was slightly buxom, a figure that perfectly brought out the qipao’s classic charm.

The hem of her dress fluttered in the autumn breeze, a picturesque sight.

Seeing this, even Vincent Grant, who was accustomed to peerless beauties, found his gaze deepening slightly.

There was no denying it: Sophia Shaw was stunningly beautiful.

"Mother."

As Sophia Shaw approached, Cedric Grant called out reluctantly, his eyes glancing at Bun in the stroller.

The little one was wearing a small dress that matched Sophia Shaw’s, looking rosy and tender. Her skin was snow-white, and her cheeks were chubby.

Utterly adorable.

Cedric Grant had never taken a close look at Bun before. Now that he did, he realized she was even prettier and cuter than Stella Grant.

’So what if she’s cute? She’s not my real sister.’

Cedric Grant forced himself to look away.

Sophia Shaw saw this but had long since become indifferent toward Cedric Grant and didn’t press the issue.

"Let’s go." Vincent Grant reached for the stroller.

Sophia Shaw subtly moved away, not letting him push it.

The three of them walked side-by-side—the man handsome, the woman beautiful, and the child adorable.

Watching from a distance, the Grants couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. "What a picture-perfect family."

When Sophia Shaw entered the house, she realized only the Grants were present today.

Old Mrs. Grant didn’t want a big celebration for her birthday, so she had only invited family for a gathering.

Sophia Shaw had very little interaction with the Grants and could barely recognize Vincent Grant’s siblings.

"Vincent."

"Vincent."

"Sister-in-law."

Everyone in the room greeted them as they saw them.

Although Vincent Grant was a businessman, he held a high status in the eyes of the younger family members, who looked at him with a different kind of respect.

They were also very respectful toward Sophia Shaw.

Cedric Grant proactively went over to Rowan Forrest, Claire Grant’s son who had just started his PhD, to ask him about his academic research.

There were quite a few people in the room. Although they were usually prim and proper, it was inevitable that they’d engage in some entertainment when they got together.

Someone handed Vincent Grant a cigarette and invited him to play cards.

Vincent Grant didn’t take it. He glanced at Bun lying in her stroller and said, "Put out the cigarettes."

The others also saw Bun and, naturally, felt it was inappropriate to smoke in front of a child, so they all extinguished their cigarettes.

Eleanor Crawford came down the stairs, saw Sophia Shaw, and hurried over. "Faye, you’re here!"

"Sister-in-law," Sophia Shaw greeted politely. "Where’s Grandmother?"

"Grandmother finds it too noisy with all the young people, so she’s still upstairs. But she specifically told me to bring you up as soon as you arrived."

"Okay."

Sophia Shaw bent down to pick up Bun.

"Bun is so cute," Eleanor Crawford said with envy.

Seeing such a rosy, tender child made her want to hold her and give her a cuddle.

But she had no experience and didn’t dare to ask.

Sophia Shaw noticed and proactively offered Bun to her. "Here, Bun, let Auntie Eleanor hold you."

Eleanor Crawford hadn’t expected Sophia Shaw to let her hold the baby and was extremely nervous. "May I? I... I’ve never held a baby before."

"It’s okay." Sophia Shaw carefully corrected her posture.

Bun was very cooperative, letting Eleanor Crawford hold her obediently.

Her big, round eyes were wide, and her little mouth was slightly agape as she experienced a completely different embrace.

Her little hand clutched Eleanor Crawford’s sleeve, betraying her own nervousness.

Eleanor Crawford’s movements were clumsy, and she was terrified of dropping Bun.

"A baby’s body is so soft."

’So this is what it feels like to hold a small child.’

Holding the baby, Eleanor Crawford didn’t even dare to walk.

She was afraid that one misstep would cause her to stumble and drop the child.

Her eyes were filled with novelty and joy.

It was as if Bun had a magical power that could effortlessly brighten anyone’s mood.

Eleanor Crawford held her for a while before carefully handing Bun back to Sophia Shaw.

Sophia Shaw carried the baby upstairs with Eleanor Crawford.

Behind them, Vincent Grant followed.