Chapter 4

In that instant, everyone stood frozen in shock.

"Damn! She's the one who caused the fire at the Lowe residence two days ago! How outrageous! Those of ill appearance are often the source of chaos! I would've cut all ties with her if I were her parents!"

I wanted nothing more than to sneer at them at that moment.

Winnie had always coveted my belongings ever since we were children, always playing the victim to make it look like I was the one taking things from her. Mom and Dad always took her side, stripping away everything that was rightfully mine just to hand it to her.

I retorted coldly, "You were the ones who held me against my will! Did you seriously expect me not to do whatever it took to save myself?"

Dad slapped me hard across the face. "Do you really have to air out the family's dirty laundry? You ought to know that we locked you up because you shamelessly went after Wendy's husband!"

"What's going on here?" Layla and Matt asked as they rushed over.

Upon hearing Mom, Dad, and Winnie lay out their accusations against me, Layla and Matt exchanged bewildered looks. "Hannah made it very clear she had no interest in marrying Mason when we visited your place to propose marriage a week ago, though."

I scoffed as I clutched my stinging cheek. "I'm glad someone here is capable of having some common sense. I've already explained that meeting them at the boutique and being here today were entirely coincidental, as the man I'm marrying happened to book this exact same venue—just up on the second floor."

Those present instantly burst out laughing. "Isn't the second floor usually closed to the public and only reserved for VIP banquets? I've never heard anyone hold a wedding on that floor before!"

Mom and Dad grew even more ashamed. "We never expected you to become such a pathological liar, Hannah! Get out of here! You're no longer considered a part of the Lowe family from this day forward!"

Upon hearing that, I smiled with satisfaction. "I'm all for that! I request that everyone present act as a witness for me, as I have no desire to be implicated by the Lowe family!"

Layla and Matt were stunned for a moment. "What do you mean by 'being implicated'?"

I pointed directly at Winnie and declared, "Winnie is absolutely incapable of saving Mason!"

Winnie went pale, her eyes brimming with tears. "You ought to know that as early as our birth, a grand diviner already calculated our destinies and proclaimed us both to be blessed women in the future.

"How could you frame me like this in front of everyone just because you want to marry into the Sherwood family in my place, Hannah?"

Mason pulled Winnie into his arms protectively, glaring at me with pure disgust. "You'd better give it up, Hannah! Winnie is the only one I'm marrying in this lifetime! You could strip down right here in front of me, and I still wouldn't marry you in a million years!"

I said with a sneer, "If you're hellbent on self-destruction, I'm certainly not going to stop you! I just feel bad for your parents!"

I turned to leave after saying that, but Layla suddenly stopped me, asking, "Is what you just said true, Ms. Hannah? If that's the case, could we please ask you to marry Mason instead?"

I suddenly realized a parent's devotion really knew no bounds. Layla was just as terrified for Mason's well-being as she had been in her past life, completely unfazed by the public embarrassment of breaking the engagement on the spot if it meant saving him.

"I already said I'm not marrying that piece of trash, so stop pleading with her, Mom!" Mason snarled, looking at me with pure hatred. "You'd better stop your games and manipulative actions, Hannah! I will never marry you, not in this lifetime!"

No sooner had Mason spoken than a deep, steady male voice rang out from outside the door. "You are in no position to marry my woman."