Chapter 5

Mason actually disagreed with letting Eugenie break off the engagement.

She bit her lip, suddenly finding herself in a difficult position.

Of all the Graysons, Mason was the one who stirred the most complicated emotions in her.

She knew Mason valued her because the Williams family's antique business could bring more prestige and profitable advantages to the Grayson family.

But even with this business relationship, Eugenie couldn't deny that Mason had treated her well.

Now he wanted her to provide a reason.

The only reason that had killed Eugenie's hope was something she couldn't say aloud.

How could she tell Mason that she had been reborn, that in her previous life Bernard had personally killed her, leaving her to die in the cold seawater?

She lowered her eyes, remained silent for a moment, then began hoarsely, "It's because I..."

A scornful laugh interrupted her from the doorway.

The woman's voice was sharp and cutting. Eugenie didn't need to look up to know Rhea had entered.

Having overheard their conversation, Rhea sneered at Eugenie, "What else could it be? She's obviously using these tactics to pressure the Grayson family into giving her more benefits. The future Mrs. Grayson just wants to marry in and continue milking us for money."

Everyone else's expression changed simultaneously.

Even Bernard spoke up, his voice stern, "Mom, please leave."

"What's wrong! Don't tell me you're defending Eugenie now?"

Rhea glared at her son in frustration. "You foolish boy, you don't understand these women's schemes. She deliberately caused a scene at the engagement party so everyone could laugh at us, putting the Grayson family in an impossible position. Eugenie's just waiting for us to cave and give her more benefits."

Eugenie couldn't take it anymore. She frowned and said, "Mrs. Grayson, breaking the engagement is my own choice. I won't take anything from the Grayson family."

Rhea crossed her arms, convinced Eugenie was playing hard to get.

She looked at Eugenie sideways and said, "Then why didn't you speak up earlier? Why wait until the engagement party to announce you wanted out?"

Right when all eyes were on them, Eugenie had turned her back on them, making the Grayson family a complete laughingstock!

This calculating woman had endless tricks up her sleeve!

Eugenie opened her mouth silently at these words.

Having been reborn at this moment, she naturally wanted to cut her losses immediately—waiting any longer would make it harder to escape.

But of course, she wouldn't say this to Rhea.

She knew Rhea's unreasonable accusations were based on pure speculation, so she simply remained silent.

This silence, in Rhea's eyes, looked like guilt.

She grew increasingly angry.

Especially since during her recent lunches with the wives of other wealthy heirs, she'd received curious glances from everyone—they were all there to witness her humiliation!

So Rhea directed all her anger at Eugenie, "Let me warn you, you ruined the engagement party yourself, and the Grayson family won't give you another one. None of your tricks will work now. Just get out, break the engagement—break it right now!"

This was exactly what Rhea wanted.

She waited to see Eugenie's shocked expression, determined that even if the girl begged on her knees, she would never be allowed to set foot in the Grayson family again.

"Mom!" Bernard quietly reminded Rhea, "Grandfather is watching. Mind your words."

Rhea, carried away by her emotions, finally gave a sheepish smile in Mason's direction.

Before she could say anything, Mason coldly turned away, not bothering to look at his foolish daughter-in-law.

What a short-sighted woman!

If Bernard's marriage were left to Rhea to arrange, who knew what kind of person she'd pick?

Though Eugenie's qualifications weren't obvious on the surface, her family's deep heritage would bring Bernard advantages far beyond what was immediately visible. Many intangible benefits were what Mason truly valued.

Even setting aside those advantages.

Eugenie had grown up under his watchful eye, always proper and well-mannered. He knew of Eugenie's feelings for Bernard and had witnessed her quiet dedication over the years.

He couldn't bear to see the two of them separate so abruptly.

Mason immediately waved his hand, telling Rhea, "Go prepare some fruit and snacks for Eugenie. How can you not show any hospitality when we have a guest? What kind of impression does that give?"

Rhea reluctantly left, her heart full of resentment.

Then, Mason's sharp, penetrating gaze swept over Eugenie and Bernard before he suddenly said, "Bernard, you leave too. I want to have a word with Eugenie."

Only the two of them remained in the study.

Eugenie opened her mouth, "Mr. Mason Grayson."

"Enough."

Mason waved his hand kindly and sat at his desk. "Make me some coffee, please. I remember when you first came, you were the most level-headed, and you made coffee exactly how I like it."

Eugenie smiled faintly, pressing her lips together.

If there had been any warmth in these years, apart from Xanthe and Chase, it had come only from Mason.

Suddenly, she didn't want to deceive him.

While calmly preparing the coffee, she said, "I know you don't want me to break the engagement. You think I'm being rash, acting on impulse."

"But I'm scared too."

Mason looked confused. "In this family, I will support you."

She gave Mason a bitter smile, shaking her head, "But what if I might die?"

He put down his book and looked at her inquiringly. "What do you mean?"

Eugenie lowered her eyes and said, "You should know I've been afraid of water since childhood. Why would I voluntarily approach the pool at the engagement party, let alone fall in?"

"But now I'm grateful I fell in, because there, I had a vivid dream. I dreamed that if I married into the Grayson family, someday, just like that day, Bernard would push me into the sea with his own hands. The feeling of drowning was too real, Mr. Mason Grayson. I can't go through with this engagement."

Her eyes reddened slightly, revealing a rare vulnerability as she said, "I don't want to die."

The despair on Eugenie's face looked too real. Mason frowned as he tried to reason with her. "It was just a dream."

"But what if other things from the dream have already come true?"

Eugenie persisted, saying, "Did you know that Allegra actually returned to the country on the day of our engagement? Bernard kept it from you. How do you think I knew?"

Mason showed genuine surprise. "You dreamed it?"

"Yes."

He took a deep breath, closed his book, and they sat in silence for a while.

Finally, Mason spoke gravely to Eugenie, "I'll consider this matter carefully, but one coincidence is too flimsy. I can't agree right now."

"Let's do this—give Bernard one more chance. If anything else from your dream comes true, I won't let you remain in danger."

Still no breaking of the engagement.

Eugenie lowered her eyes in disappointment.

But this outcome was already much better than she had imagined; at least it proved Mason truly cared for her.

Fortunately, Allegra had returned, making it simple for Bernard to make another mistake. She just needed to wait patiently.

So Eugenie nodded and said, "All right, Mr. Mason Grayson. Even if we cancel the engagement in the future, you will always be a dear elder to me."

"Good girl."

They went downstairs together.

Having heard about Allegra's return, Mason now looked at Bernard with particular displeasure.

Seeing Bernard still waiting downstairs, he snorted coldly and scolded him, "You're engaged now, yet you're never home! From today on, stay away from that first love of yours, or I might not be against sending her abroad again."