Chapter 3 Breaking Off the Engagement-We're Done

At this moment, all eyes in the private room were fixed on that coat, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Daisy smiled, breaking the silence. "I was worried that no one would pick you up in the rain, Sister. But it seems I was overthinking."

Without warning, Alex suddenly stood up, his face cold, and left the room.

"Brother Alex?"

Daisy quickly got up and chased after him.

Angela nearly laughed out of anger. Who was the one who should be upset here?

James pointed to a seat nearby. "Sit down. While those two are out, your mother and I have something to discuss with you."

She nodded and sat down.

"Angela, you and Alex got together because your father and I arranged this as a business marriage. We knew you were unwilling at the time, and we feel somewhat guilty about it," Maria said with a smile.

"Mom, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Angela wasn't foolish-she could guess their intention.

"We can't hold you up for life. How about... you take the initiative to break off the engagement?"

Angela lowered her head slightly, saying nothing.

"You should have noticed that Daisy likes him a lot. She was lost for so many years and suffered a lot. You've lived in our home for years. We never treated you unfairly in terms of food, clothing, or education. We even sent you to learn dance; we really did our best," Maria said, as if reasoning with her.

"Besides..."

"You have plenty of suitors, and you don't even like Alex. Why not make way for your sister?"

Maria's gaze landed on the coat.

Being accustomed to luxury, she could tell at a glance that the coat was expensive.

Angela pressed her lips together. "Mom, how do you know I don't like him?"

"You think we're discussing this with you?" James frowned.

"To be honest, the only reason The Rogers family agreed to the engagement was because Alex likes you. They have never truly valued you. Even if you marry him, you won't have a good life there."

"Then why do I have to be the one to break off the engagement?" Angela countered.

James and Maria looked uncomfortable.

Angela was smart enough to see through it-

Alex liked her, so he was unlikely to end the engagement himself. If Daisy continued getting involved with him, people would accuse her of being a homewrecker.

So, Angela had to be the one to step aside.

"Why do you have so many questions? If we tell you to end it, you end it!" James snorted. "What? Have we raised you for so many years just to have you defy us?"

"Don't forget who gave you everything you have now!"

"I gave it to you, and I can take it all back!"

"James!" Maria frowned. "Talk to the child properly. Angela has always been obedient and sensible."

"I just want her to understand-there is no such thing as true love in this world. Even if she marries into The Rogers family, without us backing her, they won't treat her well. Alex likes her now, but will he protect her for a lifetime?"

James continued, "If you want to marry someone else in the future, we'll give you a generous dowry. Even if men are unreliable, you'll be financially secure for life."

"The most important thing in life is knowing when to be satisfied."

Her adoptive parents took turns persuading her, reminding her-

Don't be greedy.

"Enough. Angela is an understanding child. She knows what to do," Maria said.

Angela sneered inwardly.

Her adoptive parents had never been warm to her, and ever since Daisy returned, they had been bending over backward to please her. Their attitude toward Angela had shifted dramatically.

"Dad, Mom, I need some air."

"Stay right there! You have to call off the engagement-"

James bellowed behind her.

Angela had known Alex for a long time. They had been together for a year and engaged for six months. When she was injured, he actively helped her find doctors and took care of her at the hospital. She had been touched by his efforts.

She did have feelings for Alex.

But now, her feelings no longer mattered.

As long as Daisy wanted something,

She had to give it up without question.

-

Angela felt suffocated in the private room. With her leg aching, she just wanted to get some fresh air. But after stepping out, she sneezed several times, her head feeling dizzy and heavy.

Turning a corner, she unexpectedly saw Alex talking to Daisy.

Daisy looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection and shyness.

Alex had already noticed Angela from the corner of his eye, yet he made no effort to keep his distance. Instead, he reached out and ruffled Daisy's hair.

His lips curled into a smile, his expression indulgent.

Angela's fingers curled slightly at her sides.

And then-

Daisy stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.

Her face flushed as she turned to leave, only to meet Angela's gaze head-on.

Looking flustered, she called out, "Sister," her lips trembling as if trying to explain, but she didn't know what to say.

After struggling for a moment, she only managed to stammer, "Sister, don't misunderstand. Brother Alex and I are just-"

"Seeing it with my own eyes-there's no room for misunderstanding."

Daisy quickly stepped forward. "Sister, you really misunderstood."

Her face burned with embarrassment, and she couldn't come up with a proper excuse.

Especially under Angela's scrutiny, she felt guilty and humiliated, her eyes turning red with anxiety.

"It's just..."

Daisy bit her lip but couldn't say anything convincing. She was so flustered she was on the verge of tears.

Angela found it laughable.

Who was actually the victim here?

To outsiders, it would seem like she, the adopted daughter, was being cruel to the real daughter.

"Enough, it's just a misunderstanding," Alex stepped forward and looked at Angela. "Why are you being so aggressive?"

"What did I do to her?"

Alex frowned slightly and stiffened. "Daisy was just thanking me for taking care of her recently."

"I've never heard of a thank-you that requires a kiss on the lips."

"That's enough," Alex said impatiently.

He had always resented the fact that Angela barely let him touch her. Even when they got engaged, the most he managed was a brief kiss on her cheek. His frustration had been building.

Angela looked at him seriously.

"Alex, we're done."

Alex's face stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, from now on, our engagement is over. Who you want to be with is no longer my concern." Angela turned to leave, but Alex grabbed her arm.

"Angela, you dare break up with me?"

"Sister, it's all my fault. Brother Alex truly loves you," Daisy pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Don't be mad at him. I'll apologize, okay?"

"Daisy, you don't need to apologize!" Alex gritted his teeth and glared at Angela.

"You've been messing around with another man, and I haven't even gotten mad. Now you want to call off the engagement? What, have you already found a replacement? Who's the guy you've been sneaking around with?"

"Watch your words!" Angela's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Am I wrong?"

Alex sneered. "Then tell me-whose coat is that? Don't tell me it belongs to one of your student's parents."

"It's Frances'."

The William family's Frances?

Even his father had a hard time meeting that man, and yet Angela had not only met him but had also received his coat?

Alex laughed coldly in disbelief. "Angela, at least try to make up a believable lie! A man like him wouldn't even look at you!"