Sophie Roscente had barely stepped through the front door when Benjamin Roscente's smile vanished.

His face darkened. "Sophie," he said coldly, "where were you partying last night?"

Sophie walked straight to Grandma Blanche and sat beside her, looping her arm through the elderly woman's.

She tilted her head at her father. "Dad, I'm your daughter. Must you use the word 'partying'?"

Benjamin slammed his hand on the table. "What else would you call it? You're in your twenties with no job, wasting time with those lowlifes at bars!"

Grace Roscente cut in sharply, "Where did you sleep last night?"

Grandma Blanche shot her son and daughter-in-law a disapproving look. "What's wrong with young people going to bars? It's not like she's committing crimes!"

Sophie's eyes lit up as she pulled a thermal container from her bag.

"Grandma, look what I brought you!"

She opened the box like presenting a treasure. The rich aroma of steamed dumplings filled the air.

"The last four dumplings from that alleyway shop. I waited in line for half an hour."

Grandma Blanche's eyes crinkled with delight as she accepted them. "My granddaughter is the most thoughtful."

Benjamin massaged his temples. "Mom, you're spoiling her rotten."

The old lady lifted her chin. "She's my only precious granddaughter. Who else should I spoil?"

Grace frowned. "Who would want to marry a girl who stays out all night?"

She remembered the constant complaints from Sophie's college advisor—how her daughter would sneak out past curfew to hit the clubs, always returning with heavy makeup and revealing outfits.

No amount of discipline changed Sophie's ways.

All because Grandma Blanche always took her side.

Sophie hugged the old woman's arm. "Grandmaaa~"

Grandma patted her hand. "Young people need to have fun. As long as she's not breaking laws."

Sophie immediately vowed, "I just drink with friends and always stay at Fiona's place. Nothing inappropriate."

The grandmother nodded approvingly. "See? My granddaughter knows her limits."

Sophie planted a kiss on Grandma's cheek. "Love you most!"

Grandma Blanche chuckled. "Go rest now."

Sophie bounded upstairs.

The moment she collapsed onto her bed, her phone rang.

Fiona Cortez's voice came through. "You're home? So... how was that hottie from last night?"