Chapter 325: Willingly Wearing Your Collar, Madam, It's You I Love (3)
A red-painted fingernail lightly tapped on the armrest of a rosewood chair, its owner lost in thought.
Of course, for the Guen family's matriarch, this wasn't the most pressing matter.
Popularity or not, he was still her daughter's fiancé.
What truly mattered to the Guen family was Shia's other identity—Master Brewer!
A true grandmaster, renowned across the land.
For top-tier wine connoisseurs and the wealthiest elite, a master brewer was far more valuable than a mere son-in-law.
Sofia propped her elbow on the armrest, resting her face against her hand, an intrigued expression in her eyes.
Recently, the market had seen the emergence of new fine wines.
Most were the same, but some were unique.
For instance, in the Silver Moon Kingdom, a particular wine stood out.
And no matter the variety, they all carried Master Shia's name.
Shia... Master.
Sofia savored the title, a smile playing at her lips.
He had nearly monopolized the entire brewing industry—just sitting back, he could earn massive dividends.
If this wealth could be claimed...
A sharp gleam flashed in Sofia's eyes.
The Guen family could rise even further!
And now, this grandmaster was right before her—her daughter's fiancé.
Since they were family, surely he wouldn't mind sharing, would he?
She tilted her head slightly.
A maid stepped forward attentively.
"Has Shia arrived?"
The maid bowed slightly.
"Yes, he has been waiting in the reception room for ten minutes."
Sofia languidly stretched, her voluptuous body shifting as she brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.
She extended a delicate hand.
The maid immediately stepped forward and supported her.
When she arrived before Shia, she wore a gentle, motherly smile.
"I had some urgent matters to handle. I hope you haven't waited too long."
As she spoke, she waved her hand, dismissing the other maids.
But she sat a little too close.
A soft, alluring fragrance wafted into his nose, and her curvaceous, voluptuous figure leaned in, overwhelming with an undeniable presence—far beyond Lilith's league.
The hint of apology in her expression was so sincere. What seemed like mere intimacy carried an undercurrent of subtle seduction, concealed within her elegant demeanor.
This was a true master of the art of temptation.
She leaned forward slightly, her ample chest pressing forward.
Pouring tea for Shia of her own accord.
"This was my mistake. Would you forgive me if I offered you a cup of tea?"
A dignified, graceful elder humbling herself like this would leave anyone feeling flattered.
That she was willing to go this far?
And the effortless allure she exuded was enough to make any young man unable to look away.
Shia reached out to take the tea, a slight shyness creeping into his smile.
"Thank you, Madam. I wasn't waiting for too long."
"You still call me Madam?"
Sophia feigned a glare at Shia.
There was no anger in her gaze, only a coy tenderness.
Shia lowered his eyes, his smile growing more bashful, though the depths of his gaze remained unreadable.
"Aunt Sophia."
Sophia pursed her lips slightly, appearing both dissatisfied and pleased at the same time.
"This is your home as well. We are family. There is no need to be so formal."
"Have you and Lilith been adjusting well outside?"
"Has anyone bullied you? Have you encountered any trouble?"
Shia shook his head lightly.
"The teachers and students at the academy are all kind. We are doing well. No need to worry, Aunt Sophia."
Sophia, however, wrapped an arm around Shia's shoulders, exuding a motherly warmth.
"Silly child, as your elder, it is only natural for me to worry."
"Lilith has always had people attending to her and has never been one to suffer."
"But you, you have always lacked the warmth of family."
"I can't help but want to cherish you more."
Sophia pulled Shia's head into her embrace, attempting to envelop him in a mother's love.
Giving this orphan who had never known maternal affection a taste of warmth.
The more a person lacks something, the more they yearn for it.
Especially childhood deficiencies, which leave lasting scars.
Shia was an orphan, and this was an unchangeable regret, even in adulthood.
So as long as she showcased her motherly love—just a little—he would fall willingly into her carefully woven web.
Shia's voice was muffled, seemingly due to being buried against her ample chest.
"Thank you, Aunt Sophia."
"I am already incredibly fortunate to have met someone as kind as you."
"It's because of your kindness that I have been so happy."
"I will make sure to repay you in the future!"
A flash of condescending arrogance flickered in Sophia's eyes.
She finally released Shia but looked at him with a hint of reproach.
Her soft body brushed past him, seemingly an accidental touch, yet one that ignited a lingering heat.
Sophia playfully poked Shia's forehead with a slender finger.
"Silly child, do you think we are kind to you just for repayment?"
"It is because we love you and want you to live happily."
"As long as you are happy, then I am at ease too!"
The seasoned seductress laughed, her delicate frame trembling with mirth.
Her sugar-coated words could make anyone dizzy.
Any man being treated with such favor would inevitably waver.
But this woman was a true snake in disguise.
Beautiful, yes. Skilled, absolutely.
But too dangerous—laced with venom.
Shia lowered his eyes, concealing the mockery and disdain within them.
Yet his voice remained filled with emotion.
"Aunt Sophia's kindness is from the heart, and I too sincerely wish to honor you."
He lifted his head, having masked every trace of emotion within his gaze.
"This is my way of showing care and... love."
Sophia's smile radiated warmth, her presence soft and inviting, exuding elegance and refinement.
She reached out, grasping Shia's hands, gently patting them.
"You are such a thoughtful child."
"Lilith is truly lucky to have you as her fiancé."
"As long as you two are well and live in prosperity, what else could I and her father ask for?"
Sophia subtly emphasized the word "prosperity."
The sentence seemed perfectly normal.
But this subtle guiding of the conversation was a technique she had mastered—one that had never failed her before.
Yet today, she was about to meet her downfall.
Hearing Sophia's words, Shia's expression suddenly grew agitated.
His body trembled slightly.
He looked at Sophia, the emotions in his eyes surging unpredictably.
This was the turning point!
"I'm sorry!"
Shia lowered his head, his voice filled with sincere guilt.
"All this time, I have kept my feelings buried deep within my heart."
"But today, I must speak the truth."
Shia lifted his head, sorrow flickering in his expression.
Seeing his demeanor, a bad feeling crept into Sophia's heart, as if something was slipping from her grasp.
"The truth is, I have no interest in your daughter at all."
Sophia's expression instantly changed upon hearing those words.
If he did not like Lilith, then what would happen to her plan?
Just thinking of Shia's fame across the continent as a master brewer made her displeased.
Was he trying to sever ties with the Guen family?
She couldn't allow that.
Yet, as she observed Shia's demeanor, something felt... off.
There was an oddity she couldn't quite put her finger on.
However, Shia's next words delivered the fatal blow.
"In truth, the person I have secretly admired, the one I have always longed for... is you."
Even someone as cunning as Sophia, upon hearing this, widened her beautiful eyes in stunned disbelief.
What!?
You love me, not my daughter?
This was simply too absurd.
She stared blankly at the young man before her, her carefully laid-out plan unraveling into chaos.