Chapter 128
The audience was utterly captivated.
"Amelia, this teacher is wonderful. Where did you find her? The previous ones were always elderly gentlemen."
The Tea Tasting Soirée had been held many times, each arranged by a different lady.
It was Amelia Roscente's turn this time. The usual master had suddenly fallen ill, so she had asked Sophia Sullivan to fill in.
Such "unexpected incidents" had never occurred before.
Another lady nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Why not invite such a beautiful female teacher? Always finding elderly gentlemen. This is so much better."
"Easy on the eyes, and educational too."
"This girl is truly remarkable. She speaks so gently and softly."
Isabella Langley and Victoria Roscente were both stunned when they saw Sophia appear.
They watched her ascend the platform with composure.
She discussed tea culture eloquently, quoting classics with effortless ease.
Isabella heard nothing but praise all around her.
Everyone was saying how good Sophia was, how beautiful, how exceptional her poise was.
How?
She knew nothing about tea. What right did she have to sit up there putting on airs, lecturing these society ladies?
Who did she think she was?
Resentment flashed in Isabella's eyes, a deep, churning jealousy.
"Wait a moment." She suddenly stood up, interrupting Sophia.
All eyes instantly focused on her.
Victoria tried to pull her back, but it was too late.
Amelia frowned slightly.
Sophia looked up calmly. "Do you have a question?"
Isabella smiled. "Teacher, you're lecturing on tea culture. Are you a certified Tea Master? Aren't you a bit too young? And the content you're presenting sounds very unprofessional. It even seems like you're directly quoting lines from CCTV documentaries."
Whispers broke out among the crowd.
"Yes, why was the teacher suddenly changed?"
Those who had attended before knew the lecturer was always an elderly gentleman. A young girl was a sudden change...
Amelia stood up to explain. "Master Quincy fell ill the day before yesterday. I specially invited a new teacher. I assure you, her tea art is absolutely professional."
Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Then may I ask what level of Tea Master this teacher is?"
She had done her homework last night.
Tea Masters were divided into five levels: Primary, Intermediate, Advanced, Technician, and Senior Technician.
Each level required a nationally issued vocational qualification certificate.
It involved rigorous examinations.
Her roommate had taken the Primary Tea Master exam. She signed up for a prep course and failed twice before passing.
So what if Sophia knew a little? She absolutely could not have a certificate!
Amelia looked troubled.
She was annoyed by Isabella's disruption, but even more concerned that Sophia might not have a certificate.
She looked at Sophia, her gaze worried.
Sophia gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Isabella. "You said I'm unprofessional. Please specify exactly where I was unprofessional."
Isabella was taken aback.
She had just said it casually. How would she know the specifics?
The knowledge she crammed last night hadn't stuck at all.
Her eyes darted around. She forcefully changed the subject. "Right now, I'm asking you if you have a certificate. Don't try to evade the question."
"As a teacher, listening to student opinions and answering questions is my duty. You said I'm not good. Fine. But you must provide a reason. I don't accept baseless accusations!"
Sophia's forceful demeanor left Isabella flustered.
The suspicious looks from the crowd made her press her lips together and straighten her back. "The common knowledge you just mentioned, who doesn't know that?"
"Even if they didn't, a quick online search would let anyone say a few lines."
"Different Tea Master levels mean different depths of lectures. Did we come here today just to listen to basic knowledge?"
Some ladies were swayed and actually nodded in agreement.
"She has a point. Without a certificate, who knows if you're an imposter? What if it's a scam?"
"Exactly. There are many frauds these days. Just show the certificate to put everyone at ease. It shouldn't be hard if you have one, right?"
Amelia's expression had already darkened.
Sophia was her guest. Questioning Sophia was questioning her.
In contrast to Amelia's tension, Sylvia Laurent leisurely sipped her tea, enjoying the show.
This trip was worth it today. There was drama to watch.
She hadn't met Sophia before and didn't know this girl, but her looks and temperament weren't the type Sylvia liked.
How to put it? That deliberate affectation of being "refined and detached," "unassuming," but actually just pretentious.
All that elegance, composure, and exceptional poise—in her eyes, it was all an act!
Like Amelia.
Like Sophia.
They both perfectly stepped on her pet peeves.
Sylvia even thought with schadenfreude that if this young girl couldn't produce a certificate, she might be in for a rough time today.
Sophia took in everyone's reactions. Not only was she not flustered, she even reassured Amelia with a look.
"If I produce my Tea Master qualification certificate, how do you plan to apologize for your baseless accusations and rude behavior?"
Isabella sneered. "If you can really produce it, I'll apologize any way you want."
"Good." Sophia was waiting for this very sentence.
She beckoned to the tea server at the door.
The young girl, wearing the soirée's custom Hanfu—a high-waisted ruqun—hurried over with small, quick steps.
Sophia had entrusted her bag and belongings to her care upon arrival.
The clever girl proactively handed over the bag.
Sophia smiled. "Thank you."
The girl blushed, softly saying it was no trouble.
Before coming, anticipating it might be useful, Sophia had placed her certificate in her bag.
Certificates of different levels had distinct colors.
In front of everyone, she slowly began to unzip her bag...