Call Off The Wedding!

Yves hesitated. The conflict in his eyes betrayed the calculations running through his mind.

Nina pressed anxiously, "Don't worry, it's not that you refused to marry, it's that she didn't want you. Your parents won't blame you. And besides, you're the only heir. You're clever; you'll inherit the family business no matter what."

Her words swayed him. His gaze cleared with sudden realization. "You're right. I can marry you, Nina."

Then he turned to me, his look filled with disdain.

"A woman like you—pretty on the outside but shallow within—is nothing more than decoration in a household. You'll just be an embarrassment in public."

I forced down the storm rising inside me, turned without expression, and walked away.

I wouldn't marry him. Let him marry whomever he wished—it had nothing to do with me.

Thankfully, I didn't love this man. If I had, my heart would have shattered.

The truth was, it had been my father who first proposed the match, though Yves initially refused. Later, his father learned of my secret work in a classified department, with influence and authority that could benefit the Laurent family's business. Coupled with the existing ties between our families, my father's involvement promised further profit.

Thus, after negotiations, the marriage was settled. The blind date had been for appearances, and I hadn't thought much before agreeing.

Now that the wedding was off, so too was the cooperation between our families. Had I married Yves, my superiors would certainly have bestowed a lavish gift—immense manpower and resources that would have brought his family unprecedented advantage. Losing me meant losing all of that.

Back home, I had just finished bandaging the wound on my arm when a knock came at the door.

Opening it, I found Yves and Nina standing outside with a group of bodyguards and construction workers, their presence oppressive and hostile.

Confused, I frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Yves shot me a sidelong glance, his voice cold.

"My father gave you this villa as a wedding house. Since the marriage is off, get out."

I froze, incredulous. "You're mistaken. This house was bought by my parents, not given by your father."

Nina suddenly burst out laughing, the malice in her eyes plain.

"Lucy, don't cling to what isn't yours. If you get too greedy, you'll choke on it."

My irritation flared; I snapped back, "Then you'll be the first to choke."

Her eyes reddened instantly. She leaned toward Yves, pitiful and accusing.

"Darling, did you hear? She cursed me."

Yves's face hardened, his tone sharp and severe. "Lucy, apologize to Nina at once, or I'll make sure you regret it."

I looked at him coolly, impatience in my gaze. "This is a society ruled by law. What exactly do you think you'll do to me?"

He fell silent, his brow lowered, lost in thought—as though weighing how best to deal with me.

Then Nina's lips trembled, and she began to cry, fragile and pitiful.

"Lucy, we're getting married. This is our home. Please, give it back to us."

Yves, distressed, hurried to wipe her tears. "Don't cry. I'll get the house back for you."