Chapter 5
When Mason still refused to let them break off the engagement, Eugenie felt a mix of emotions tightening in her chest.
She knew he valued her because of her mother’s family and their antique business, which would bring solid heritage and long-term benefits to the Grayson family.
But even with that layer of interest involved, Eugenie couldn’t deny that Mason had always treated her kindly.
And now, when she asked to end the engagement, she couldn’t even give him a reasonable explanation.
What was she supposed to say—that she had been reborn, that in her last life Bernard had killed her with his own hands and left her sinking into freezing seawater?
She lowered her gaze, paused in silence, then tried to speak.
“I’m asking to break it off because—”
“You ungrateful woman! How dare you let my son get hurt?!”
A well-dressed woman burst through the door, rushing over to inspect Bernard’s injuries.
Rhea’s shrill, cutting voice sliced straight through Eugenie’s unfinished words.
She had clearly heard part of the conversation outside and wasted no time sneering.
“What else could it be? Obviously she’s using this stunt to force the Grayson family to give up more benefits. Of course she wants more leverage as the future Mrs. Grayson so she can squeeze more money out of us.”
Everyone in the room stiffened at her words.
Even Bernard spoke up, his voice low.
“Mom, just… go out first.”
“What? You’re hurt like this and you’re still defending her? Are you out of your mind?”
Rhea glared at him.
“You idiot. You don’t understand how women scheme. She made a scene at the engagement party so everyone could laugh at us. Now she’s waiting for the Grayson family to cave and give her more benefits.”
Eugenie’s patience snapped. Her brows tightened.
“No matter what you think, if we break off the engagement, I won’t take a single penny from the Grayson family.”
“Heh…”
Rhea folded her arms, utterly convinced Eugenie was just playing hard to get.
She tilted her head and shot a mocking look at her.
“Then why didn’t you say it earlier? Why wait until the engagement banquet, of all moments, to announce a breakup?”
In front of all those watching eyes, Eugenie had flipped the entire event upside down and embarrassed the family.
This scheming woman—her tricks never end.
Eugenie heard the accusation and, for a moment, had no words.
She couldn’t possibly tell all these people she’d been reborn—say something like that, and they’d probably have her committed.
But since explaining wouldn’t help anyway, she might as well go on the offensive.
Then she suddenly laughed.
It was a soft laugh, almost emotionless—so calm that it sent a ripple of unease straight into Rhea’s gut.
“Mrs. Grayson,” Eugenie said lightly, “aren’t you taking yourself—and Bernard—a little too seriously? I’m breaking off the engagement because I don’t want anything. Not because I’m trying to manipulate anyone, and definitely not because of your son.”
Rhea’s expression twisted.
“What… what do you mean by that?”
Eugenie met her gaze without flinching.
“It means I will not marry Bernard. Even if you handed me your entire fortune today, I still wouldn’t want it.”
Rhea’s chest tightened, breath faltering. She grabbed the back of the sofa for support.
“You—You’re doing this on purpose! You’re breaking off the engagement just to get revenge on the Grayson family!”
Bernard, hearing her words, assumed she was still playing hard to get.
He stepped forward with a frown.
“Eugenie, watch how you’re talking to my mother. If you still want to marry me, you’d better adjust your attitude.”
Rhea jumped in immediately, stirring the pot.
“That’s right! Ungrateful girl. After everything the Grayson family has done for you—”
“Done for me?”
Eugenie lifted a brow, as if hearing the most absurd claim in the world.
“Mrs. Grayson, everything I’ve eaten, worn, used my entire life has come from my own family. If you cared so much about me, why haven’t you shown it even once? The only thing you care about is Mr. Grayson’s inheritance.”
Rhea went pale with anger, her face flushing blotchy red and white.
“You—You’re lying! How dare you talk to me like that? Bernard! Look at her—she’s climbing all over my head!”
Bernard, already shaken by her refusal, finally lost the last of his composure.
His voice rose.
“What was that attitude just now? Do you have any respect for elders at all—”
“Enough!”
The thunderous roar cut off every voice in the room.
Mason.
He slammed his cane against the floor, the crack echoing through the study. His glare was sharp enough to pin them into silence.
“What is this noise?! This is a study, not a marketplace!”
Bernard and Rhea immediately shut their mouths, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Mason swept a glance at the still-composed Eugenie, then at the chaotic mother and son, his face filled with irritation and disgust.
“Bernard,” he said coldly, “from the moment your mother walked in, you two haven’t stopped accusing Eugenie. Are you trying to announce to the entire world that your relationship is a disaster? Do you want everyone thinking the Grayson family can’t even keep its own house in order?”
Bernard’s face went white.
“Grandpa, I didn’t mean—”
“What did you mean?” Mason snapped.
“First you ruined the engagement party. Then your ex-girlfriend returns, and you let Eugenie suffer for it. And now your mother storms in here acting like a fishwife, and instead of stopping her, you join her?”
Bernard was completely speechless.
Rhea opened her mouth to object, but one look from Mason shut her down instantly.
Mason’s face darkened, and finally he delivered his verdict:
“Bernard, let me make this very clear—
you will stay away from that ex of yours.
If you don’t, I will personally make sure she’s sent out of the country again.”
