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...

"Severing mother-son ties—

"From now on, Nicholas has no connection with Gray Group."

What?

Severing mother-son ties?

Every guests wore a look of shock on their face.

They must be thinking...

"Everyone knows that after Nicholas's father passed away, Shaunee became the CEO of Gray Group and raised Nicholas on her own, enduring countless hardships unknown to anyone else? And now, she's severing ties with him? What could have happened?"

This was major news!

Absolutely huge news!

"Wait, if the ties are severed, Nicholas can no longer be the heir to Gray Group. Who knows how many years Shaunee has left, and without an heir, can Gray Group survive?"

Thinking this, a few members of Gray Group's extended family were already itching to act.

I scanned the audience, sighing silently.

Their intentions were crystal clear to me.

Several shareholders of Gray Group sat in the audience, their faces ashen. Yes, I announced this without consulting them at all.

But what does that matter to me?

Rubbing my fingers, I continued, "Secondly."

I met Kendall's gaze and smiled.

"I have good news to share. Gray Group will establish a new subsidiary focused on fragrances, and the head of this subsidiary will be my goddaughter, Yvonne Moore. This is a small gift from me to her."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Kendall.

Kendall quickly understood my meaning. "On behalf of Yvonne, thank you."

This gift was my way of compensating Yvonne. Since she loves perfumes, I would give her a company.

By the way, I also hinted at another message. "I am Yvonne's godmother, and I will always protect her."

Gray Group and the Moore Group will form a strong alliance.

There was some noise in the room, so I cleared my throat loudly and continued.

"And the third matter. Many of you might not know that I actually gave birth to twins. Shortly after my daughter was born, she was kidnapped.

"Because I was so devastated, I had the news sealed. Until a few days ago, I found her. After careful consideration, I decided to groom her as my heir.

"Since everyone is here today, I don't need to hold another press conference to introduce her. Now, I'd like to invite my daughter to the stage."

My gaze swept over the crowd and landed on the girl in the back row.

She was dressed appropriately and wore delicate makeup. When she met my eyes, she smiled slightly and then walked forward.

Not the least bit intimidated.

Truly my daughter.

As happy as I was about her excellence, I also felt a pang of sadness.

I missed out on 23 years of her life.

Now that I've recognized her, how many more years do I have left?

But it doesn't matter. I will do my best to support her as Gray Group's successor, helping her grow strong wings to face future thorns and hardships.

In my previous life, upon discovering that the girl at home was not my biological daughter, I broke down and cried. Perhaps thinking I wouldn't pose a threat since I was dying, Queenie told me where to find my real daughter.

So, last night, I drove to my daughter's home.

The moment I saw her, I cried. I almost immediately confirmed she was my daughter because she was the spitting image of me.