Chapter 2 A Pit of One's Own Making

In her previous life, Josephine had given up the inheritance left by her mother, thereby escaping the fate of marrying Lord Veyron. She had believed she was making the right choice. In truth, she had been utterly wrong. Every hardship that followed had stemmed from that single act of surrender.

Now granted a second chance, she would not repeat the same mistake. She would hold tightly to everything her mother had left her. She would reclaim all that this woman before her had swallowed every company, every property, every share, every shop, every piece of jewelry... nothing would be missing.

As the silence stretched on, Odette's patience snapped. "Josephine Titan, don't be so shameless! Fine, you refuse. Then today, willing or not, you will marry. Change your clothes this instant."

Josephine calmly raised her head and fixed her with an icy stare. That single glance made Odette feel as though an invisible hand had seized her throat. All her threatening words lodged there, unable to escape. Since when had this stubborn girl's eyes become so sharp? Before, a casual glare from Odette would make Josephine tremble with fear. Yet today, the girl had stood defiantly against her at every turn.

Taking Josephine's composure as a provocation, Odette's voice turned venomous. "What kind of look is that? You hate me? I'm doing this for your own good. If you won't marry Lord Veyron, then I'll have your father find some beggar on the streets for you to marry. Think very carefully, Josephine..."

"I'll marry."

Josephine suddenly spoke, her voice different from before dark, hoarse, steeped in resentment.

Odette's heart gave a strange lurch. She looked at her suspiciously, sensing something off. But it didn't matter. As long as the girl agreed to the marriage, nothing else concerned her. "That's more like it. Hurry up and get changed."

"I will marry in Seraphina's place, but I have two conditions."

"What conditions?" Odette demanded impatiently.

"First, I will sever all ties with Reginald Titan." Once the bond was severed, these people would never again be able to use blood ties to take even the slightest advantage of her. This was to prevent future entanglements.

"What?" Odette looked startled. For years she had tried countless times to drive this wretched girl out, but had never succeeded because Reginald wouldn't allow it. Now the girl wanted to leave on her own. Naturally, Odette would gladly oblige she could ask for nothing better.

"What's the second condition?"

"I want to annul my engagement to Alistair Vance."

Oh, Odette's face nearly split with glee. For the first time in her life, she found this wretched girl actually rather endearing. Stupidly endearing. Severing ties with Reginald meant everything in the Titan family would pass to her son, Lucian. And canceling the engagement with Alistair meant her daughter Seraphina could marry into the wealthy Vance family and become its undisputed mistress. With the futures of both her son and daughter secured, how could she not be thrilled? But just as her excitement peaked, Josephine lowered her eyelids, perfectly concealing the glint of mockery in her eyes.

Laugh now, while you still can. Because soon... you won't be able to. Digging a pit is like handing the shovel to the other person, letting them willingly and happily dig deeper and deeper. Only then does the burial feel truly satisfying.

Josephine turned around and sat before the outdated computer clunky and slow, but she managed to bring up the two agreements quickly. She made the necessary edits and sent them to Odette. "Print three copies, sign and stamp them, then find a notary."

In less than half an hour, Odette had the documents ready. On the agreement to sever the father-daughter relationship, Reginald Titan's name was already signed along with his private seal. On the agreement to dissolve the engagement, Alistair Vance's signature and thumbprint were inked in place.

Less than half an hour, and Odette had obtained Alistair's signature while he was supposedly tending to Seraphina in the hospital. What did that signify? It meant she had likely made a single phone call, and Alistair had rushed back eagerly to sign. Otherwise, it would have been impossible time-wise.

Heh.

Josephine sneered inwardly and lifted her eyes to Odette. "Where is the notary?"

"I've sent Corbin to fetch one. He'll be here soon," Odette replied.

"The Veyron Dynasty's people have arrived!" someone shouted from outside.

Odette's expression soured, and she turned to Josephine. "We'll deal with the notary later. Change your clothes first"

"I insist on the notary first!" Josephine cut in.

Odette was about to erupt, but meeting Josephine's cold, unwavering gaze, she swallowed her anger. "Fine, fine, have it your way. I'll go hurry them along." She quickly left the room.

Josephine sat down at the computer and swiftly entered a series of commands, formatting the entire hard drive and installing a few small programs. While she was occupied with this, the Veyron entourage had arrived at the door.

The first to enter were a column of black-clad men, their disciplined footsteps radiating intimidation. Once inside the hall, they parted into two precise lines. Then, from the center of the formation, a man in a tailored suit seated in a wheelchair was pushed forward.

Though confined to the chair, his posture was as rigid as an ancient pine, his features sharp and distinct, exuding an aura of noble aloofness. This was the scion of the Veyron Dynasty in Eryndor; Karl Veyron.

Legend said that Lord Veyron was violent and capricious, destroying lives with a single word. The once-glorious Aetherion Holdings had been dismantled by him. Vexx Corporation, which had dominated Eryndor for decades, saw its CEO leap from a high-rise and its employees flee overnight. The ruthlessness and severity of those actions still sent chills through the city's elite, and the one responsible had never even shown his face during the ordeal.

Slowly, the wheelchair advanced and stopped at the center of the hall, then turned to face the gathering. As it pivoted, the very air seemed to freeze. Under that immense pressure, Reginald Titan scurried forward with a bowing, scraping smile. "Lord Veyron, you've honored us with your presence..."

Karl Veyron's sharply defined right hand lifted slightly, his voice devoid of warmth. "Where is the bride?"

Reginald immediately spun toward Odette. "Quick, go and bring her."

Odette's heart curdled. The notary still hadn't arrived, and that stubborn girl was particularly impossible to deal with today. She feared Josephine wouldn't come out so easily. But it was clear that Lord Veyron was even more impossible to deal with than Josephine.