Chapter 685

"I didn't mean it like that—" Sophia tried to explain, but Melanie cut her off sharply, "I don't need anyone to tell me who's sincere or not. I've been running the Laurier household for years, and I didn't get here by being naive. I know exactly who my daughter-in-law is, and no one else has the right to expose her." Sophia's face froze, her expression darkening. It was clear that Melanie was determined to stand by Lily no matter what. Sophia couldn't fathom what made Lily so exceptional that Melanie would go to such lengths to defend her. "If you're all so eager for a spectacle, then let me put everything out in the open," Melanie said, striding to the center of the banquet hall with a microphone in hand and pulling Lily beside her. "Today is not only my birthday banquet but also the formal event where the Laurier family announces my daughter-in-law to the world." Melanie looked directly at Lily and said seriously, "This is my future daughter-in-law, Lily Brooks, and she's