Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Kenneth went out with my parents. I, however, packed my clothes and prepared to move into my own place.

Just as I was about to leave, Victoria asked to meet.

"Gregory… there's something wrong with our wedding plans," she said over the phone.

I had known her for over a decade, so the moment the words left her mouth, I knew exactly what she meant.

"Do you want to call it off because I'm not a Lawson anymore?" I asked in a low voice.

Victoria didn't answer, yet those ten seconds of silence told me everything.

"Fine. But this isn't something we can end on our own," I said. "Both families will have to sit down and work it out. Don't you agree?"

After a long pause, she finally replied, "Okay."

When the call ended, I let out a long breath. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my chest.

For ten years, I had given everything to the Lawson family, raising the company to new heights. In truth, my engagement to Victoria had always been a matter of mutual benefit.

I considered myself a decent fiance, and Victoria and I got along well enough. We understood each other and never embarrassed each other in public.

I'd thought there was something real between us, so I hadn't expected everything to fall apart the moment my identity changed.

I took a deep breath, shook my head, and finished packing my things. I was just about to leave when Kenneth and my parents came back.

Money could really work wonders.

Just the day before, Kenneth had been timid and unsure of himself. Now that he was dressed in well-fitted clothes, he looked like a completely different person.

He was somewhat tanned, but soon enough, that would fade.

When Kenneth saw me with my bag, he froze. "Greg, are you leaving?"

I nodded. "It's not really appropriate for me to stay here anymore."

"I just got back, and you're already leaving. Are you mad at me or something?"

Mom's expression darkened as she asked, "What's gotten into you, Gregory? Ken just came home, and you're already giving him the cold shoulder?"

"Mrs. Lawson, let's drop the act, shall we? Weren't you all discussing in the family group chat yesterday about kicking me out? I'm just doing what you wanted. Is that a problem?" I shot back.

Her expression faltered at once. "I… They were talking nonsense. That's not what we meant. Our family can afford to keep you. But the way you're acting… Are you trying to humiliate us?"

"If that's not the case, then why did you inform the Shaws?" I asked, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "Victoria already called off the engagement today.

"I'll return everything to you. Moving out now is exactly what you want, isn't it? Or do you want people thinking the Lawsons have two sons? It's not like you gave birth to twins."

My words hit hard, and Mom swayed on her feet.

From the side, Kenneth spoke up. "Greg, there's no need for that. Mom meant well. But the place you're living in was paid for by our family. If you really want to cut ties, you can't—"

I stopped and turned to face him. My presence alone was enough to shut him up.

"The money I earn is mine to spend however I want. It doesn't matter if you can't tell whether I depend on the Lawsons or the other way around. I'll have someone explain it to you later."

Having said that, I turned and walked out.

Behind me, Mom shouted, "Greg! Greg!"

I didn't stop. They had forced my hand today, but there would come a time when they'd be the ones begging for my mercy.

What I hadn't expected was that I'd barely left before Dad called.

"Gregory, they're being unreasonable, but so are you. Let's not make this uglier than it needs to be, alright? Tomorrow is Kenneth's welcome home dinner. You have to come."

I smiled and said nothing.