The three of them wandered the streets for a while, and when the sun was about to set, they returned to the Medici mansion.

Since the luggage of the two had been sent by Miriam in advance, the sisters followed Elena directly to the main hall.

Everyone else was already waiting at the table.

Elena introduces the two sisters.

Sitting in the center was Cosimo de' Medici, who had already met once in the afternoon at the Palazzo della Signoria.

Sitting next to him was a young man, who looked slightly older than Elena, and was Elena's older brother, Lorenzo de' Medici. He is also the eldest son in the family and the current head of the Medici Bank.

However, he did not see Elena's mother.

Bella, who is a newcomer, is not convenient to ask more. Maybe there's something special about it?

After the three of them were seated, they prayed briefly and began to eat.

"I've often heard Elena talk about your experience at Valdraz, and she is full of praise for Miss Carlos's talent!" Cosimo seems to appreciate Bella.

"You're so polite, but I'm impressed by Elena's courage." Bella also modestly replied.

"I wonder if Miss Carlos is married?"

Before Bella could reply, Alina slammed the plate with the fork in her hand, and then glared at her father fiercely with a pair of sharp eyes.

Cosimo smiled awkwardly when he saw his daughter's reaction.

The son beside him couldn't help frowning.

Bella was a little overwhelmed.

It is true that she is not engaged, but looking at what Mr. Medici meant, does he want to marry her?

"Bella, I'll take you to the studio to see when you go back, you'll definitely be interested." Elena cleverly digressed the subject.

"Hmm." Bella had no choice but to nod.

Just then, Miriam burst in in a panic.

"Tell me, I know I shouldn't disturb during the meal......

"It's okay, is something wrong?" Cosimo asked.

"Sophia, she—"

"What's wrong with Sophia?" Lorenzo next to him suddenly stopped the knife and fork in his hand, looking very nervous.

"Since this morning, she has locked herself in her room and hasn't come out for a day. I thought she was just not feeling well and didn't bother. But just when I went to call her for dinner, I found that the room was locked. No matter how much I knocked on the door, no one answered. I was worried that something would happen, so I hurried over to report it." Miriam is also concerned about the safety of her companions.

After listening to her account, before Cosimo could give any instructions, Lorenzo immediately got up and left the table.

"Go find Ugo and get the backup key to the room." Lorenzo spoke to Miriam, and quickly left the hall.

"No, I'll have to check it out." Elena also stood up.

Bella put down her knife and fork, bowed slightly to Cosimo, and left with Alina.

Only Anna was still feasting on the table.

The Medici house was large, but it was not luxurious. This may have something to do with the family's culture of advocating simplicity for generations.

When Bella and Elena arrived at Sophia's room, Lorenzo was knocking on the door in a panic.

But no matter how much I called, there was no movement inside.

It didn't take long for Miriam to come with Butler Ugo.

In the butler's hand, he also holds a string of large and small keys.

After a few attempts, I finally found the right match and unlocked the room.

The moment the door opened, a dangerous aura came to my face.

"Stand back, everybody!"

Lorenzo said, covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve, quickly rushing inside, opening the window, turning off the coal stove, and carrying Sofia out.

"Sophia! Wake up!"

However, no matter how he shook it, the girl in his arms did not react in the slightest.

"Alas, it's too late." The butler patted Lorenzo on the shoulder and said comfortingly.

"Sofia......" Lorenzo hugged Sofia's body tightly, ignoring his image in front of everyone, tears of pain streaming down his cheeks.

Bella stood silently beside Elena, silently watching all this.

The eldest young master of the Medici family is so affectionate to a maid that anyone with a discerning eye can see the relationship.

Miriam also covered her eyes sadly and sobbed, after all, they are sisters who have been together for many years.

Only Elena, her eyes were full of mixed emotions.

She clenched her fists tightly, a surge of anger welling up in her heart, and then turned and rushed back down the hall.

"It's all your fault!"

Elena slammed her fist on the table in front of Cosimo, causing a piece of beef in Anna's hand to fall back onto the plate.

Cosimo didn't speak, just continued his meal unhurriedly.

Elena glared fiercely at her father, as if the anger that had been building up for years was about to explode.

Bella, who arrived quickly, quickly stopped Elena, for fear that the situation would become out of control.

"Makes Miss Carlos laugh." Cosimo said calmly.

Bella smiled and didn't say anything, just pulling Alina back to her seat.

But now, no one has an appetite.

Except for Anna, of course, who looked at them blankly as she picked up the piece of beef and put it in her mouth.

After that, Elena didn't eat anything, just drank a few glasses of red wine, and left the table.

Sister Carlos' room was arranged opposite Elena.

It was still early, and Bella couldn't reassure Elena, so she knocked on her door.

When Elena answered the door, Bella saw a slight redness in the corners of her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Bella said with concern.

"I'm fine, let's come in first."

Elena leaned over to let Bella in, then closed the door.

The boudoir is exquisitely decorated and all the furnishings are exquisite, but it still doesn't feel extravagant.

"Bella, you know what," Elena said, "brother, he'......."

His voice trembled a little, and he stopped just two sentences.

When Bella saw Elena's sad expression, she didn't feel good in her heart.

"Oh yes, what do you want to drink?" Elena wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Ah, no need to ......" Bella wanted to refuse, but seeing Elena's expression, if she didn't do anything, there would only be sadness in her eyes at the moment, "That...... Let's have some black tea."

"Hmm." Elena nodded, got up and walked to the closet.

After a while, two cups of steaming black tea were served.

Elena then tells Bella the story between her brother and Sophia.

Lorenzo was the eldest son in the family and received a strict education from his father in order to inherit the family inheritance in the future. This requires not only mastering the skills, but also being familiar with the various connections in the family. Like the fate of most princes and nobles, his marriage is destined to become a bargaining chip for the expansion of the family's power. However, the fate of the world is always so wonderful, but he has fallen hopelessly in love when his love first opened. The relationship between the two is like the childhood sweetheart in many novels, and they already have it when they first understand what love is. Perhaps the road ahead is full of difficulties and obstacles, but how can people in love feel afraid?

However, to their surprise, their father, who has always been open-minded, went against the norm this time and resolutely refused to recognize the relationship between the two. This also made Elena feel unfair for her brother, and since then she has been on the same page as her father.

"I don't understand." Elena said, "My mother was also a commoner, and when my grandfather was alive, she didn't stop me much. But now it's my brother's turn, and he's so unkind!"