Chapter 5 Young Master Reid

"Yes! Finally, this rotten girl gets a beating," Martha muttered as she rushed to fetch the whip and board.

Serena laughed when she heard Nathan's words, and laughed even harder when she saw how quickly Martha dashed off to retrieve the items for the Family Law.

This Martha really despised her.

Nathan, hearing Serena laugh, felt his chest burn with rage.

What spirit had possessed the once obedient girl?

He didn't like this new development one bit.

What Serena said next nearly made him faint.

"Yo, Mr. Vale. You want to hit a girl? And your daughter, at that. This really confirms my theory-you are a shrew. Who hits a girl? Are you telling me you hit Rose too whenever you're irritated? This is terrifying. Just imagine the headlines: 'Nathan Vale, Chairman of Vale Group, Accused of Domestic Abuse Against Women in His Household.'"

She said it with the tone of a thug-and sat like one too.

Nathan exploded and stood up just as Martha returned.

He grabbed the whip from her, preparing to lash Serena -when the butler, Mr. Grant, walked in with stunning news.

Mr. Grant was the butler of the Vale family and maintained a neutral stance toward Serena .

"Sir, Young Master Reid is at the door. Should I invite him in?"

Everyone froze-except Serena .

She had anticipated this and deliberately stalled for time.

The Reid family had seen the news and urged Grayson Reid to confirm whether it was true.

If it was, the engagement would be called off immediately.

Grayson agreed-he never liked the Vale family's daughter.

The engagement had always been a business arrangement between the two families.

As he arrived at the Vale Family home, he overheard shouting.

He wondered what was happening.

Serena smirked as Mr. Grant delivered the news.

In the novel, Grayson arrived after the original Serena had already been beaten and locked away.

When he asked about the scandal, Rose exposed the truth before Nathan could spin it, resulting in the engagement's cancellation.

Thanks to Rose's scheming, the original Serena was kept in the dark-leading to jealousy, obsession, and eventually her ruin.

Nathan, now flustered, told Martha to take the whip and board away and motioned for Mr. Grant to let Grayson in.

Even Noah, the usually indifferent party, sat up straighter.

Young Master Reid was his future business partner-he needed to make a good impression.

Rose smiled upon seeing her son's reaction.

He was learning.

Soon, Mr. Grant returned with the unexpected guest and exited quietly.

Grayson Reid strode in like he owned the place.

He was a handsome man with dark hair and black eyes. His face was etched with innate arrogance.

Dressed in a custom made suit, his presence commanded immediate attention.

He sensed the awkward atmosphere immediately.

Nathan hurriedly stood to greet him.

"Young Master Reid, please have a seat. We weren't expecting this surprise. Martha, go brew some tea for our guest."

Martha, still bitter, hurried off to follow the order.

Grayson sat in a chair that happened to be near Serena .

Rose and her son greeted him politely.

He nodded in return.

That was when everyone noticed something odd-Serena didn't bother to greet Grayson at all.

This girl will be the death of me, Nathan thought. But outwardly, he spoke calmly, "Serena , didn't you see our guest? Greet him."

The "oblivious" Serena finally looked over at Grayson and gave him a simple nod-no warmth, no shyness.

So Serena killed herself over you...she has bad taste in Men just like her clothes,she thought.

Everyone found it strange.

The novel's Serena had adored Grayson and acted shyly around him.

So this casual greeting made Grayson frown.

Nathan, watching her indifferent response, was now convinced-she was possessed.

Before they could dwell on it, Martha returned with the tea.

Grayson took a sip. "The tea is quite good. Chairman Vale, you have an eye for quality," he said out of courtesy.

"It's nothing, Young Master Reid. You deserve the best," Nathan said, trying to please.

Just as he was settling into a good mood, Serena spoke up.

"Young Master Reid, why are you here?"

Nathan's anger flared again, but he controlled it.

"Serena , your fiancé and I are still in discussion. Don't interrupt."

Determined to be a menace, Serena replied while adjusting her sitting posture to one far from ladylike,

"Mr. Vale, you said it yourself-he's my fiancé. So Young Master Grey, do tell us why you're here. You don't just drop by for tea and compliments."

Grayson furrowed his brows and set down the cup.

"Miss Vale, what's the meaning of this behavior? You appear completely unladylike. Is this how you plan to conduct yourself in the Reid household?"

Unexpectedly, Serena let out a sharp whistle like a thug.

"Wow, Young Master Reid. I didn't know you were so long-winded. But yes, I know why you're here. You're here to check if the scandal's real, aren't you?"

Grayson's face darkened at the insult.

He could now completely understand Nathan's earlier shouting.

Nathan, meanwhile, was nearly panicking.

What is this girl trying to pull? he thought.

But what happened next shocked everyone in the room.

"The scandal is just a little smokescreen for you to be here. You came here to end the engagement, right?. But I'm sorry to disappoint you. I want to call it off myself. So don't go around saying the Reid family or the Vale family ended it. I, Serena Vale, am ending this engagement myself because I don't want to marry you."

She said it with a smirk on her beautiful face.

Oh, the horrified look on Nathan's now scarlet-red face-she snickered inwardly.

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