The World Is Her Oyster

Following Suzy's advice, Yvonne found herself a tutor.

Though absurd, it turned out to be the quickest solution.

After moving out of Waterfront Bay, she managed to find a college student majoring in Anderian who needed a part-time job. He was fluent in the language and taught her well. He had even spent some time studying abroad, but due to financial difficulties at home, he was in urgent need of money.

Combined with Yvonne's own diligence, her speaking skills improved by leaps and bounds. Soon, she would have no problem moving abroad.

For a whole month, she focused on studying, ignoring everyone but Suzy.

She also managed to sell the pink diamond brooch.

Xavier was the perfect buyer. Yvonne was quite satisfied with dealing with him, as he hadn't haggled and paid promptly.

However, she did notice that his intentions weren't entirely pure, so she didn't respond to his messages after the deal was done.

To her surprise, Marcus began sending her multiple messages daily. In the past, it was Yvonne who used to send him long, heartfelt messages, only to be met with silence. Now, their roles were reversed.

Among those messages was an attempt to smooth things over. "I'm sorry about that day, Yvonne. I'll come see you once Rachel recovers."

See her? If he wanted to, he would've come long ago. With his resources, finding someone in Yondale would've been effortless.

In the past, Yvonne would've eagerly reconciled with him when she saw that message.

Now, though, it no longer stirred any emotions within her.

Marcus knew that Yvonne was upset, but he didn't want to lower his pride to coax her. After all, he thought that Yvonne couldn't leave him or the Cunningham family. Moreover, he was busy with work, so he thought there was no harm in addressing her issues later.

It wasn't like she would run away.

However, he did notice that Yvonne was making a bigger fuss than usual. Had he been too lenient with her lately, and she felt it was okay to defy him? Something felt wrong.

However, that thought was only fleeting. He pushed it aside when he got a call from Rachel.

…

The day Yvonne received her visa, she bought a one-way ticket abroad. She didn't bother returning to Waterfront Bay to say goodbye; there was nothing else in the villa that belonged to her. She wasn't greedy—the money she had gotten from selling the pink diamond brooch was enough.

Dressed in a simple button-down shirt and jeans, she made a quick trip to the Cunningham residence to say goodbye to Andrew, who had once supported her financially.

Unfortunately, she ran into Quinn.

"You've finally grown some sense, dumbo. Marcus and Rachel's relationship is going well. You should break off the engagement as soon as possible!" Quinn taunted.

In the past, Yvonne would've argued back, unhappy with her words. But now, since she was leaving, she found that there was no need to entertain her.

With that thought, she walked away.

However, Quinn refused to back off. She grabbed Yvonne and continued, "Do you know why Marcus agreed to get engaged to you in the first place? Did you really think it was because you saved his life?

"He proposed to you in a fit of anger because Rachel had just gotten married. He just wanted to make her jealous!

"As for why he's kept the engagement going for so long, it's because he's devastated that he's not marrying Rachel. He no longer cares who he married. Do you get it now?"

Yvonne smiled at Quinn. "I know."

She knew all this.

She tossed the engagement termination agreement at Quinn. "Take this to them. I don't have anything to do with the Cunninghams anymore."

It was only then that Quinn noticed Yvonne wasn't wearing her hearing aids, yet she could still hear.

"You're… You're not deaf anymore? When did that happen?"

"That has nothing to do with you."

It had nothing to do with the Cunninghams, either. Not anymore.

"Stop pretending. This is just one of your little tricks, isn't it? You acted innocent to fool Grandpa and acted like you were in love with Marcus so he'd be stuck with you. It won't work on me!" Quinn said. "Don't tell me you're leaving. You can't leave us or my family's wealth!"

Yvonne couldn't be bothered to explain things to Quinn. She left the Cunningham residence with a newfound lightness in her heart.

The leaves rustled in the wind—it sounded like freedom to her.

Quinn was left standing in shock.

Had Yvonne really just left?

Quinn had always detested Yvonne. A deaf woman shouldn't be dreaming of marrying Marcus.

Over the years, she had used every tactic she could think of—attacking her physically, crushing her self-esteem, and more—but no matter what she did, Yvonne had never faltered. Her devotion to Marcus was apparent.

But now, she was really leaving.

…

At the airport, Yvonne ended her call with Andrew, ignoring all other phone calls. Calling Andrew was the very last thing she did before leaving the country.

From then on, she would go far, far away, and never see them again.

Marcus was calling her incessantly, but she didn't pick up any of them. As the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, she removed the SIM card from her phone and tossed it into a nearby trash can, cutting all ties she had in this city.

With her suitcase in hand, she boarded the plane without looking back.