Chapter 2 I Will Not Break off the Engagement

In the living room of Jameson Manor, Ginny Warde stared at Victoria in disdain.

"Victoria, even if you are not educated, don't you have basic manners? Are you dumb? Don't you know how to greet your elders? Look at what you're wearing. Even beggars dress more decently than you!"

Victoria was dressed in a black hoodie and ripped jeans. With one hand in her pocket, she laughed mockingly. "No one taught me manners. It is expected, I suppose, considering how my own parents didn't care about me!"

Ginny stood up in anger, but Colette held her back. "Mom!"

Colette sized Victoria up. She found herself pondering how the once scrawny girl from the countryside had blossomed into such a beauty.

Her skin was fair, and she had well-defined features. In addition, her eyes were crystal clear. Victoria was objectively more beautiful than her. She must have undergone plastic surgery!

Colette felt envious of Victoria, so much so that she wished to scar Victoria's pretty face.

Despite this, she put on a kind smile. "This is just how Mom is. Her words may be sharp, but she has good intentions. She wants you to improve and become a better person."

Colette then tugged at Ginny's sleeve and said, "Mom, you should speak nicely to Victoria."

Ginny gave Colette a look and sat down, softening her voice, "I mentioned this to you over the phone. Zachary is 24 years old. He is at the age to settle down and have a family.

"He is highly educated and has a good family background. How about you? You have lived in the countryside for a long time and never attended school.

"In terms of education and talent, you have none. Look into the mirror. There is nothing about you that resembles a lady.

"You should be ashamed to marry Zachary and burden him for a lifetime, let alone us. Bring the engagement token with you when we meet the Harper family to call off the engagement tomorrow."

Victoria snorted. Her biological mother surpassed even the worst of stepmothers.

Colette was worried that Victoria might change her mind. She quickly explained, "The Harper family is a prestigious family with many rules. You have been living in the countryside for so long.

"You will definitely find it hard to adapt. Moreover, you don't have any feelings for Zach. It is not easy to be a daughter-in-law of an elite family.

"Mom is doing this for your own good. She doesn't want you to suffer in that environment. Even if you break off the engagement, Mom and I don't intend to send you back to the countryside.

"You will enroll in my school and come to classes with me. By then, you can look for a man you like and experience your first campus romance."

Men would love Victoria's attractive appearance, especially old geezers with full wallets. Keeping her in Danube City would be beneficial.

Staring at the both of them, Victoria smirked when she picked up on Colette's crafty plans. "You are being so considerate. I will definitely repay your kindness one day."

Yawning, she continued, "You can arrange everything. I'm tired. Where's my room?"

Stunned, Colette didn't expect Victoria to agree so easily. Regaining her composure, she smiled. "It's upstairs. I'll get someone to show you to your room."

Colette fixed her gaze on Victoria's departing figure.

Things were progressing too smoothly. She couldn't help but feel rather uneasy. She turned to Ginny with a worried expression.

"Mom, will Victoria really break off the engagement? Zach is such a catch. What if she changes her mind once she sees Zach?"

Ginny dismissed her concerns and comforted Colette. "You silly girl. What's the use if she likes Zachary? Zachary wouldn't like her in return.

"Besides, Ms. Harper would never accept a daughter-in-law like Victoria. I might think twice if she were obedient and well-behaved. However, she is standing in your way.

"Even if she changes her mind, she has no choice. Zachary is yours. As long as I am around, Victoria won't be able to snatch him away from you."

The next day, Victoria accompanied Ginny and Colette to visit the Harper family. They brought some gifts with them.

As Victoria got out of the car, she saw a smiling woman in a red dress emerging from the Harper Manor.

It didn't take Victoria long to identify the woman. She was the oldest daughter of the Harper family and Zachary's mother, Nicole Harper.

Victoria had heard quite a bit about Nicole before she arrived at Danube City.

The biggest sensation was her marriage to her personal bodyguard at the age of nineteen. The following year, she gave birth to the eldest grandson of the Harper family.

Her husband was a matrilocal son-in-law. Thus, Zachary had his mother's surname.

"Ms. Harper," Colette greeted Nicole as she approached.

Nicole stroked Colette's cheek with affection. "It's been a while since we met. Lettie, you've become more beautiful and sweet."

She turned to Victoria. "So, this must be Victoria. What a beauty! You are even prettier than your mother when she was your age. Come in and have a seat, Ginny. Why did you bring so many gifts?"

Victoria observed as Nicole greeted them warmly. She seemed kind and down to earth. Victoria's eyes sparkled mischievously as she followed the group into the living room.

Sitting down, Ginny looked around. "Where's Zachary? I didn't see him."

Nicole chuckled. She replied, "He was meant to come back with me, but his great-grandfather didn't want to part with him. He insisted on holding Zachary back for a few more days. I've arranged for him to take an early flight back. He will be arriving in a while."

Isaac Harper was the oldest patriarch of the Harper family and had retired. Even so, he retained a considerable influence within the family and the company. What was more, he still had shares of the company under his name.

When Colette heard that Zachary was held back due to his great-grandfather's wishes, she was overjoyed.

With a sweet smile, she said, "If we knew that Zach was keeping Mr. Harper Senior company, we would have come a little later. This way, Zach wouldn't have to rush back and forth.

"How is Mr. Harper Senior's health? Once I finish my school assessment, Grandma, Mom, and I will pay him a visit."

Nicole's smile dimmed, and she sighed. "Now that he is getting older, his health is inevitably affected. He mentions you often. He would be very happy if you visited him."

As Nicole finished speaking, she turned to Ginny and said enviously, "Ginny, how did you raise such a charming daughter? I wonder which lucky young man will have the fortune to get her as a wife."

Ginny felt both proud and gratified. "She's never made me worry since a young age. Zachary's all grown up now, right? When you were his age, your son was already running all around the place. I'm here today because of some matters regarding him as well. Victoria!"

Since Victoria entered the manor, she had been sitting silently on the sofa. She watched as the three women put on a performance.

When her name was mentioned, Victoria was leaning against the sofa leisurely. She looked up and said with a faint smile, "Is it my turn to speak?"

Ginny choked with frustration. Suppressing her anger, she warned Victoria with her eyes and asked, "Remind us, please. What did you agree to last night?"

Victoria seemed to recall something and nodded understandingly. She turned to Nicole.

Nicole stared at her expectantly.

Similarly, Colette looked at Victoria pleadingly. With her hands in her lap, she couldn't help clenching her fists.

Victoria's long eyelashes hid the glint in her eyes. After a pause, she blinked and said, "I will not break off the engagement."