Gregory asked to meet.
“Maxine, there’s a problem with our engagement.”
I had known Gregory for over ten years. The moment he said that, I understood what he meant. My voice turned cold as I spoke over the phone. “Let me guess. You heard that I am not a real Roy daughter, so you want to cancel the engagement?”
He did not answer. Fifteen seconds of silence told me everything I needed to know.
“Fine. But ending the engagement is not something the two of us can decide on our own. Our families will need to discuss it. Do you agree?”
After a long pause, he finally said, “Alright.” Once the call ended, I let out a long breath, a sense of relief washing over me.
For the past ten years, I had given everything to the Roy family and brought the company to a new level. The marriage arrangement with the Pratt family had always been a mutually beneficial decision.
I had considered myself a decent fiancee. I got along well enough with Gregory. In that regard, we always understood each other without saying it outright. In public, we protected each other’s image. I had actually believed that we meant something to each other beyond the contract. I had not expected that my change of status would change our relationship so quickly.
I took a deep breath and shook my head before finishing packing everything. I was just about to leave when Lilian and the others returned.
Money really did make a difference. Yesterday, Lilian seemed timid. Today, dressed in fancy clothes, she looked like a completely different person.
Her skin still bore damage from the sun, but with time and care, it would improve.
Seeing me holding my bag, Lilian froze for a moment. “Max, are you leaving?”
I nodded. “It doesn’t really feel convenient to stay here any longer.”
“You’re leaving right after I came back. Do you have a problem with me?”
My mother’s expression darkened as well. “Maxine, what has gotten into you? Lily has just returned, and all you do is throw tantrums!”
“Mrs. Roy, let us be direct. Didn’t you discuss in the group yesterday about making me leave the Roy family? I’m simply doing what you said. Is there a problem with that?”
Hearing this, her expression stiffened. “I… They were talking nonsense. We didn’t mean that. Our family can afford to keep you here. By doing this, are you trying to drag our reputation through the mud?”
I smiled. “If that were not the case, then why is the Pratt family already in the know? Gregory has proposed to end our engagement today. I’m returning everything to you. Moving out now is exactly what you wanted. Or do you intend to let others say that the Roy family has two daughters? You didn’t give birth to twins, after all.”
My words hit my mother so hard she swayed on her feet. Lilian, standing by the side, said, “Max, why do you have to talk like that? Mom means well. Besides, the place you are moving into was also paid for by our family. If you really want to cut ties, then you can’t…”
Hearing that, I stopped and looked straight at her. My presence turned sharp enough that she immediately fell silent.
“The money I earn is mine to spend. Whether I rely on the Roy family or the Roy family relies on me, it’s fine if you don’t understand yet; someone will teach you later.”
After saying that, I walked out. My mother called after me from behind. “Max! Max!”
I did not stop. They pushed me out today. One day, they would be the ones begging me to come back.
I had barely made it down the block when my father called me. “Maxine, your mother and sister don’t know any better. But you do. Let us not burn every bridge over this, okay? Tomorrow is Lily’s welcome party. You have to come.”
I smiled but said nothing. As soon as May heard that I had left the Roy family, she followed me without hesitation. “Ms. Maxine, we’ll go wherever you go.”
