Imagine this.

You've been friends with your bestie for twenty or thirty years, arranged for your children to marry each other.

When the time comes, your son shows up with a strange girl, saying he loves her, wanting to break the engagement.

What would you think?

I coldly watched him making a scene, cursing that girl in my heart countless times.

Even so, I kept my emotions in check and helped up my bestie's daughter.

"Yvonne, stand up first. What happened today was my fault. I'm sorry."

Yvonne Moore, my best friend, Kendall Piquet's daughter, her face reddening gradually from the slap mark. But she endured it silently.

Kendall was panting with anger, pushing away my hand. "Enough, Shaunee. Don't touch her. Now, think about how you'll explain this to us."

Kendall has always been reasonable, raising her daughter to be a proper lady. Even in this situation, they were just angry and didn't have the urge to retaliate.

Perhaps it was also because of showing me respect, they didn't retaliate.

"I'm sorry. I mishandled this."

I turned to Nicholas.

Nicholas held the hand of the girl and shouted at me, "Mom, I really like her. Please, I've never asked you for anything in my life. Just agree to let us be together."

I spoke coldly, "Is that your reason for hitting Yvonne?"

"Mom, didn't you hear what she just said? How disgusting was that?"

Damn! I couldn't believe...

"What did she say? Didn't she just say 'Nick, aren't you supposed to marry me'?"

Nicholas said confidently, "Didn't she see my girlfriend standing beside me? Yet she still said that. She is obviously trying to make us misunderstand each other. Mom, don't let her deceive you with this act. She's manipulating you."

Upon hearing Nicholas's words, Yvonne trembled. Her eyes were red, but she held back tears.

How absurd.

I gazed down and stepped forward decisively.

Slap!

This time it was Nicholas holding his face.

"Mom, I'm your son. How can you hit me for her?"

I pointed to the door, saying, "Get out."

"Just leave!"

Nicholas wanted to say more but was stopped by the girl.

He walked out holding the hand of the girl.

As they neared the door, he turned back to say.

"Mom, she's my true love. If you disagree, I'll sever our relationship."

I looked at the girl next to Nicholas and smiled.

"Okay."

Nicholas thought I agreed to them being together and almost laughed.

I added, "We'll sever our relationship."

"Alice, show them out!"

After Nicholas left, I frowned and walked over to Kendall.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't expect him to do this today."

Kendall said coldly, "Look at your son, hurting my daughter like this. He's quite something."

Yvonne tugged at Kendall's sleeve. "Mom, stop talking."

I patted Yvonne's back. "It's my fault."

Kendall, knowing full well that I was unaware of this, and realizing I had already vented her anger today, didn't blame me much. "So, are you really going to sever ties with him? Can you bear it?"

"If you cut him off, how will he survive in the future?"

"Look at my kind-hearted best friend. She is still worrying about that ungrateful son of mine."

I smiled. "Since he can cut ties with me, why should his survival concern me?"

Besides, if it's over, it's over.

It's not like he's my only heir.

"Alright then. What about tomorrow's engagement ceremony? It looks like it can't go on as planned. Should we notify the guests tonight?"

I slightly smiled. "No need. It'll proceed as planned."

To avoid any misunderstanding, I gently patted Yvonne's head. "The way he took away Yvonne's dignity, I'll make sure he gives it back."

Kendall sighed deeply, "I'll trust you this time. Don't let my daughter be humiliated in public."

"Alright."

Kendall left with Yvonne, and I leisurely whistled as I went back to my bedroom and called my assistant.

"Freeze all of Nicholas' bank accounts."

Queenie, do you really think you can outplay me?

So what if you have a system?

I've been through this once before.

In my previous life, out of love for my son, I let Queenie Clark into our family.

Although I was saddened by the loss of a friend, I quickly moved on.

Unexpectedly, within two years, my health began to deteriorate.

I didn't think much of it at first.

After unexpectedly receiving news of my long-lost daughter, I went to find her with my ailing body and I did.

To make up for lost time, I left most of my assets to her.

But she wasn't my daughter; she was someone Queenie had found to take her place.

I still remember Queenie's triumphant smile as I lay dying.

"You're dead, and your son and daughter will die too.

"Everything is mine now."

I died with resentment, but I didn't expect to be alive again.

"I've been reborn to today.

Queenie, this time, you'll get what you deserve."

Thinking of this, I made another call.

"Hello, Mom."

Hearing my mom's gentle voice, I almost cried. No one knows how much I suffered in my previous life.

"What's wrong?"

I forced down my emotions. "Mom, I need to talk to you."

Mom chuckled softly, "Go ahead."

"I want to sever ties with Nicholas."

"What?"

That was my dad.

He asked incredulously, "What did you say? You're cutting ties with Nicky? Are you crazy, or am I?"

My dad's loud voice startled me.

After a moment, I slowly spoke, "Dad, Mom, I'm not crazy.

"He brought a woman home today, said she was his true love, and that he wanted to cancel the engagement."

My parents fell silent.

After a long pause, my dad hesitantly spoke, "You don't have to sever ties over this."

"Our family has never been too concerned with social status. If he really wants to... then..."

My mom interrupted him, "What are you trying to say?"

"Are you trying to say it doesn't matter who Nicky marries? But have you considered that tomorrow is his engagement ceremony with Yvonne? Canceling it now would embarrass the Moore Family. Do you think the Moore Family will just swallow their pride? Plus, Yvonne's mom is Shaun's best friend. You're putting Shaun in a tough spot."

My dad sighed, "That's true."

He then changed his tone. "But it doesn't have to go as far as severing mother-son ties. Can't we just apologize to the Moore Family sincerely?"

I shook my head. "Dad, Mom, it's not as simple as you think.

"Putting aside the deep bond Yvonne and Nicholas have from growing up together and how heartbroken Yvonne must be over this.

Let's talk about that woman."

She's the one who ruined me.

I scoffed, "Let's talk about her. She's of poor character, lacks filial piety, and loves money above all else.

"I absolutely will not let someone like her into our family."

I paused, "Moreover, Nicholas has already changed under her influence.

"He disrespects his elders and, despite his ambitions, willingly submits to a woman.

"I despise what he has become."

"How can he inherit the family business? Won't he squander everything we've built over generations the moment he takes over?"

My mom took a deep breath. "Alright."

I understood what they were still worried about, so I spoke softly, "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, he is my son. No matter how harsh I seem, I won't truly cut ties with him. I just want to give him a wake-up call and help him see her true nature."

Only if the lesson was harsh enough would Nicholas possibly come to his senses. Otherwise, words alone won't work.

Moreover...

Thinking about some of Nicholas's actions in my previous life, I felt a bit nauseated.

In the meantime, I want you to cut off all his bank cards.

I repeated the same explanation to my in-laws.

They had worked diligently all their lives and wouldn't want some unknown woman to seize the family assets.

Therefore, I didn't need to persuade them much before they agreed.

After the calls, I contacted someone to help me with a task.

Once that was done, I drove away from home.

...

The next day, at the hotel.

At twelve o'clock, the guests arrived.

Some guests, while drinking, said, "Why isn't the groom here?"

"Exactly, it's already time."

Click.

Suddenly, the lights went out.

A spotlight shone on me.

I stood where the master of ceremonies usually would and began to speak softly.

"Honored guests, good afternoon."

"We are honored to have you here to celebrate Nicholas and Yvonne's engagement. However, I regret to inform you that the engagement ceremony is now canceled."

The crowd erupted in surprise.

I pretended not to notice, "I deeply apologize for today's situation.

"Today's expenses will be covered by Gray Group. Any losses incurred can be reported to Gray Group's finance department, and we will take responsibility.

"Additionally, I have three announcements to make."

My gaze swept over the crowd and settled on a girl in the back, stirring my emotions.

I glanced at the media. One of the reporters gave me an 'okay' gesture. "First, I want to announce that my son, Nicholas, and I...