Chapter 4

The fifteen-second interview clip went viral across all platforms.

When Bernard saw the video, his face turned ashen. "Well played, Eugenie!"

The day after the interview was published, Eugenie learned that a business project she had been eyeing had been snatched away by Bernard.

Bernard's revenge was exactly what Eugenie had anticipated.

Since she'd decided to rely on herself in this lifetime, she not only couldn't depend on the Grayson family anymore, but she also needed to protect the Williams family assets. This minor setback meant nothing to Eugenie.

She calmly pivoted her strategy, not only avoiding losses but actually increasing her profits, which earned her a certain reputation within the Williams family.

Eugenie could feel it clearly, she was gradually changing the Williams family's fate of being swallowed u, just like they had been in her previous life.

While she was thriving, Bernard wasn't doing nearly as well.

The trending topic about #Bernard's erectile dysfunction# had been quickly suppressed, but it remained like a thorn in his heart, constantly reminding him that Eugenie had outmaneuvered him.

It was a humiliating blow.

Now every day when Bernard arrived at the office, he could feel everyone's mocking glances around him

"Still no response from Eugenie?" Bernard asked irritably, putting down his pen. 

"Keep tracking her movements. Whatever she tries to do, make sure she fails—until she comes to me personally and begs."

Aiden hesitated. "Mr. Grayson..."

"Just say it."

Aiden lowered his voice even further. "Ms. Medici says your actions count as malicious competition, and if you continue interfering with her her business deals, she'll send a cease and desist letter."

Bernard stood up in fury. "Eugenie! How dare she!"

That day, Bernard canceled his date with Allegra and personally drove to confront Eugenie outside her building. "Eugenie, come down and see me now, or I'll make both you and the Medici family regret it."

Eugenie raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity before hanging up the phone with indifference.

What did she care if the Medici family got into trouble? If Bianca hadn't forced her into the Grayson family in the first place, she wouldn't have made that first fatal mistake that led to everything that followed.

Nevertheless, Eugenie went downstairs to meet Bernard.

The sleek Maybach was parked below. Bernard's expression was dark, with several cigarette butts scattered on the ground. He locked eyes with Eugenie through the haze of smoke from the cigarette between his fingers.

Eugenie's expression faltered momentarily.

Bernard was handsome with an innate aristocratic air that had made him extremely popular in college. Eugenie had once been among his silent admirers.

She had never expected to melt Bernard's cold heart, and she knew he didn't want to marry her, so she always thought a respectful relationship would be enough.

The cold, suffocating pain of drowning surged up again.

Eugenie gave a self-mocking smile, quickly regaining her composure. "What do you want?" She asked Bernard.

Bernard didn't responimmediately. Instead, he narrowed his deep-set eyes, studying Eugenie intently.

The current Eugenie gave him a strange feeling.

As if she truly would walk away without looking back.

But Bernard quicklydismissed the thought and looked her up and down with a faint smile.. "Is this your new trick?"

Eugenie didn't appreciate his scrutinizing gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Playing hard to get. You know that no matter how much you try to please me, I won't like you, so you're changing tactics to get my attention."

He casually flicked away his cigarette butt and said with disdain, "Your little tricks won't work. Stop these pointless tactics—they only make me despise you more."

Eugenie laughed bitterly, mentally rolling her eyes. "Is that all you came to say?"

She wondered how she had never noticed before how narcissistic Bernard really was.

Bernard said impatiently, "I've also had that trending topic taken down. Watch what you say in the future—damaging the Grayson family's reputation won't do you any favors. Apologize to me publicly now and beg for my forgiveness, and you might still have a chance to make amends."

"What exactly should I apologize for?" Eugenie shrugged and asked. "For the canceled engagement or for..." She deliberately dragged out her words and glanced pointedly at his lower body.

Bernard was instantly furious. "You're absolutely shameless!"

But Bernard had indeed come today because of this issue.

With a dark expression, he gritted his teeth and said, "Whatever rumors you've spread, I want you to clarify everything to the media today."

Eugenie calmly folded her arms. "Sorry, I can't do that."

"After all, I can't help you debunk these rumors. Ms. Bennett would be more suitable for that."

Let all the media see that not only was Bernard fully functional, but he was also keeping multiple women on the side.

"Fine! Have it your way!"

Bernard had never been so disrespected by Eugenie before. He slammed the car door shut and snarled at her, "You'd better not regret this. I'll be waiting to see how long you can keep up this attitude! Even if you kneel and beg me later, it won't help."

"As you wish, Mr. Grayson."

Eugenie watched silently as he started the car.

Just as the sports car was about to drive away smoothly, she suddenly called out to Bernard, "Wait."

Bernard let out a cold laugh and looked back. "What? Regretting it already?"

He wore a mocking expression, waiting for Eugenie's apology.

Without changing her expression, she replied, "How could I? I also want to cancel our engagement. Since Mr. Grayson is unwilling to break off our engagement, let's take this opportunity to clear things up today."

Bernard remained silent, his gaze growing increasingly strange.

Wasn't it Eugenie who had originally schemed desperately to marry into the Grayson family?

Now she was acting like she couldn't wait to get away from him.

Eugenie continued with dignity, "I'll fully cooperate with breaking the engagement, but Mr. Mason Grayson's approval is essential. We should go explain the situation to him."

Bernard slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You want to go to my grandfather now to discuss breaking off the engagement?"

"Yes."

Bernard laughed in disbelief, clenching his fists as inexplicable anger rose within him.

He certainly didn't think it was because he was reluctant to let Eugenie go—he attributed it solely to anger at being made a fool of.

No one had ever embarrassed him the way Eugenie had!

Eugenie got into the car without hesitation, this time sitting confidently in Bernard's passenger seat.

Neither spoke during the drive. Bernard's aura was particularly oppressive, but Eugenie seemed completely unaffected.

When they arrived at the Grayson Manor, they found Mason drinking coffee and reading in his study.

When the door swung open, Eugenie didn’t even have time to speak.

Mason’s cane hit the floor with a sharp thud, his gaze cutting through the room like a blade. He didn’t bother with greetings; his voice carried an authority that allowed no defiance.

“Bernard. Kneel.”

The air froze on the spot.

Bernard’s jaw locked, his expression darkening. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I kneel?”

Mason struck the floor again. “You’ve made a public mess of things and disgraced the Grayson family. And you still dare talk back?”

Bernard let out a cold laugh and lifted his head, fury simmering in his eyes.

“Oh, please. Drop the act. You’ve been biased my whole life. She says one thing and you order me to kneel. Grandpa, who exactly is your real grandson?”

The moment the words fell, the room erupted.

Mason’s hands trembled with rage as he swung his cane, the blow landing on Bernard’s shoulder with a sharp crack—hard enough to make Eugenie flinch.

“You ungrateful brat! Biased? If you weren’t so useless, why would Eugenie be the one suffering?”

Bernard grunted under the strike but refused to yield. Half-kneeling and bracing himself, he glared upward, his eyes dark as a bottomless well.

Eugenie stood off to the side, never once stepping in.

She watched the old man shaking with fury and the stubborn grandson refusing to admit fault, and the resentment she had carried for so long slowly uncoiled inside her.

It felt as if someone was finally striking back on her behalf—paying back every grievance, not just from this life but the last.

Only then did Eugenie speak.

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it stopped both men cold.

“Mr. Grayson… I’m the one who doesn’t want him anymore.”