Chapter 3 Annulment of Engagement

"What?" The Shaw couple froze simultaneously, their faces showing shock.

"Liv, haven't you always liked John? Did he bully you?" Sylvia grabbed her daughter's hand, remembering her pale face earlier, and asked nervously.

"Nonsense! This engagement was arranged by your grandfather and old Mr. Collins back then. How can you just cancel it? Our families have quite a few joint projects. Do you know how complicated this is?" Michael Shaw frowned deeply and asked sternly.

Olivia met her father's gaze without backing down. "I know. It's precisely because it's so complicated that we should clear things up early. I was immature before, but now I understand - you can't force love. I don't want to humble myself anymore, trying to please someone who doesn't even like me, and I don't want to regret it for the rest of my life because of an arrangement between our families."

She paused, then continued, "As for the business cooperation, I believe with Shaw Corporation's strength and Dad's abilities, we don't need to maintain it by sacrificing your daughter's marriage."

Michael looked at his daughter in shock, clearly not expecting his daughter who had been nearly obsessed with John to say such things.

Sylvia felt even more heartbroken. "Liv, tell Mom what happened. Did John do something?"

Olivia didn't want to worry her parents by telling them about the ball, so she just shook her head and squeezed her mother's hand back. "Mom, it's nothing. I just figured things out. I hope you'll support me. I'll go to the Collins family myself to explain about breaking off the engagement."

Seeing the unwavering light in their daughter's eyes, Michael and Sylvia exchanged glances, both seeing complexity in each other's eyes.

Their daughter seemed to have grown up overnight, becoming more independent, but this change somehow made them feel sad.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

The family's housekeeper Anna went to answer it and soon led several people in.

Leading them was a middle-aged couple with smiles on their faces - Olivia's uncle Sam White and aunt Linda White.

Behind them followed their daughter - Samantha, with her sweet and gentle smile.

"Oh, Liv's home too?" Linda laughed loudly as she entered, her eyes scanning the living room. "We were just passing by and thought it's been a while since we had a meal together, so we came over to mooch lunch. Hope we're not interrupting?"

Sylvia quickly stood up. "We're all family, what interruption are you talking about? Come sit down."

She had always been considerate of her natal family and took good care of this younger brother's family.

Samantha politely greeted "Aunt Sylvia, Uncle Michael," and when she saw Olivia, concern appeared on her face as she stepped forward to take her hand.

"Sis, were you okay last night? I was so worried about you. I called but you didn't answer."

Olivia subtly avoided her touch, her tone cold. "I'm fine. My phone was on silent."

Samantha's hand froze for a moment, but her face still maintained its sweet smile. "That's good. Auntie, I brought some nutritional supplements to help sis recover."

She handed the gift bag to Sylvia.

Sylvia took it, touched. "Samantha is so thoughtful, always thinking of your sister."

The three sat down. Sam started complaining to Michael about his company's cash flow difficulties, while Linda praised Sylvia's complexion and casually mentioned a new designer bag she had her eye on. Samantha cleverly served tea to the elders, occasionally looking at Michael with admiring eyes, saying things like "Uncle Michael is so capable" and "I want to be as competent as him."

Olivia watched their family's performance coldly. Before, she had naively thought her uncle's family was just enthusiastic, but now she felt every word they said was calculating, every smile fake to the extreme.

Especially Samantha - that innocent and harmless appearance was nauseating.

At the dinner table, Sam brought up wanting to expand his small company but having a funding gap.

Linda immediately chimed in, sighing about how hard business was.

Sylvia looked sympathetic and glanced at her husband.

Olivia put down her chopsticks, the crisp sound making the table quiet for a moment.

"It's good that Uncle Sam wants to expand the business, but it's better to teach someone to fish than to give them fish. Always relying on others for money won't help the company really improve, right Uncle Sam?"

Sam's face stiffened, and he forced a smile. "Liv's right. It's mainly that this opportunity is rare."

"Opportunities are always for those who are prepared. I believe with Uncle's abilities, you definitely can do it."

Olivia smiled slightly, not giving Sam a chance to respond, then turned to Samantha. "Samantha, that dress looks beautiful on you today. New?"

Samantha's heart skipped a beat, but she said shyly. "Yes, I bought it last week shopping with classmates. It was on sale, not expensive."

"Girls should dress up nicely." Olivia nodded, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh right, I'm planning to go to the jewelry store this afternoon. Want to come along?"

She looked at Sylvia. "Mom, I'll take Samantha out, and pick out a gift for you while we're at it."

Sylvia was struggling with her brother's request for money, and seeing her daughter offering to take her niece out, quickly nodded. "Good, you sisters go shopping and have fun."

Samantha's eyes lit up. Shopping with Olivia meant Olivia would definitely be the one paying in the end.

She immediately replied sweetly. "Sure, I'll go with you, sis!"

Olivia's lips curved slightly, but a flash of coldness passed through her eyes.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the most upscale shopping center downtown.

As soon as they entered the jewelry store, Samantha was drawn to a necklace in the central display case, covered with diamonds and sapphires.

Her feet involuntarily moved toward it, her gaze practically glued to it, but when she saw the string of jaw-dropping numbers on the price tag, her breath caught.

The sales assistant introduced enthusiastically. "Miss has excellent taste. This is our brand's limited edition 'Tears of the Starry Sky' this year. There's only one in the world."

Samantha's heart pounded. She sneaked a glance at Olivia beside her, her face immediately showing longing.

"Sis, this necklace is so beautiful! I've never seen such a gorgeous necklace. If only I could try it on, even just once, how wonderful that would be."

She looked at Olivia hopefully after speaking.

Usually, whenever she showed this expression and said such things, Olivia would soften and agree to her reasonable requests.

Olivia turned her head, her gaze falling on Samantha's face written all over with "I want it," then glanced at the expensive necklace.

Her lips slowly curved up, her smile looking gentle, even a bit indulgent. "If you like it, try it on. I'm in a good mood today. Whatever you fancy, go ahead and pick."

Samantha was overjoyed, almost unable to suppress the smile on her face.

Olivia actually told her to pick whatever she wanted! Sure enough, she was still that easy-to-manipulate fool!

"Really? Sis, you're so good to me!" Her voice changed with excitement, and she immediately told the sales assistant, "I want to try this one on!"

The sales assistant, seeing Olivia's distinguished bearing, smiled and took out the necklace.

Samantha put on the "Tears of the Starry Sky" in front of the mirror, the azure gemstones reflecting brilliantly against her face.

She looked at herself in the mirror entranced, as if already seeing the next school dance where she would wear this necklace and stun everyone, even outshining Catherine.

Olivia stood a step behind her, watching the undisguised greed and smugness in her eyes, her gaze cold and emotionless.

Samantha was completely unaware. She turned around, striking her most beautiful pose, asking Olivia with anticipation and nervousness, "Sis, does it look good?"

Olivia smiled and nodded, her attitude still gentle. "Very nice. It suits you well."

The prey had entered the trap. Now, it was time to close the net.