Chapter 15: Your Fiancée Sure Knows a Lot
“Huh?” Wyatt found it utterly amusing, raising an eyebrow. “Do you take me for a saint?”
Yunice was speechless. The rumors about him being born wicked weren’t unjustified. She frowned and asked, “What will it take for you to return it?”
With his status, he certainly wasn’t after money. It was most likely just for his own amusement. Wyatt seemed undecided about his terms and remained silent for a moment.
Just then, the private room door behind him opened from the inside, signaling the end of the gathering. Owen was the first to step out, his expression grim. Paul followed closely behind, about to speak to Owen when his gaze unexpectedly landed on Yunice. His heart clenched when he saw the man standing opposite her. He rushed forward and pulled Yunice behind him, snapping at Wyatt, “What are you doing standing with her?!”
If he hadn’t yelled, it would’ve been fine. But his outburst immediately drew the attention of everyone emerging from the private room. Seeing Paul clutching Yunice, Jensen’s face darkened. I had just helped him get rid of this burden, yet here he was, entangling himself with her again! An absolute fool, just like his mother, driven by emotions.
Meanwhile, Owen instinctively looked at Elsie. As expected, she appeared dejected, her eyes red, yet she still spoke kindly on their behalf. “Paul is standing up for Yunice. It shows that he’s a man of loyalty.”
Paul might be loyal, but Yunice had no sense of propriety. Was she still hoping to marry into the Powell family? Did she even look at herself in the mirror to see if she was worthy?
Earlier in the private room, Yunice had signed the annulment papers. However, Jensen had not allowed Paul and Elsie to sign their engagement papers, using Paul’s uncle, Wyatt Cooper, as an excuse to delay the marriage. It was clear that the Powell family had no interest in either of the Saunders daughters. Their talk of swapping fiancées had merely been a tactic to push for the annulment.
Owen had lost significant face in the private room. Now, looking at Yunice, he could barely contain his anger. If it weren’t for her mental illness, if she hadn’t stood up and embarrassed herself, how could Jensen have developed such a poor impression of our family? Elsie hadn’t secured the engagement with the Powells because Yunice had deliberately sabotaged it!
Not wanting to linger in disgrace, Owen strode forward and dragged Yunice away. Yunice stumbled as she was pulled along, glancing back repeatedly at Wyatt’s sleeve—my bracelet! Lily and Elsie followed closely behind. Paul, wanting to explain, hesitated as Elsie cast him a wounded look before leaving as well.
Wyatt took in the scene and smirked. “I heard the Powell family is celebrating an upcoming wedding. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, brother.”
Chapter 15: Your Fiancée Sure Knows a Lot
Margaret could tell it wasn’t a compliment but wasn’t sure if Wyatt was referring to Yunice or Elsie.
Hyatt was no longer the pitiable outcast everyone could step on. He played both sides and made money in all kinds of ways. His influence far exceeded that of the Powell Corporation. Jensen had felt the pressure, which was why he wanted Paul to marry someone who could benefit the family. The Saunders family… simply didn’t make the cut.
Margaret had no patience for Wyatt’s affairs. She frowned and asked Paul, “What is your decision?”
“What decision?” Paul didn’t understand.
“Between Yunice and that Elsie, who are you choosing?” Margaret asked again.
“…Of course. I choose Elsie.” Paul replied.
“Then stay away from Yunice. Don’t cause her trouble.”
Paul remained silent.
to marry Elsie, but I couldn’t stand how cold Yumer was toward me. Did our fifteen years together mean nothing to her! How could she just annul the engagement so easily?!
Back at the Saunders mansion, Yunice was dragged home by an enraged Owen, with Lily and Elsie hurrying behind them. The moment they stepped into the living room, Owen flung her hand away and vented his fury. “Will you only be satisfied if this family falls apart?!”
Yunice steadied herself against the sofa, confused about what had triggered his anger this time. She had done exactly what he had asked of her today.
Owen pointed at her, yelling, “Don’t play innocent! You stood up at the dining table just to embarrass us and sabotage Elsie’s engagement! If I had known you were this intolerable, I never should’ve brought you back from that psychiatric hospital!”
Elsie, heartbroken, could barely stand. Lily held onto her, tears falling as she pleaded, “Yunice, I know you resent your sister, but Paul chose to marry her. She knew you loved him and rejected him countless times over the past three years. But today… Today, you made things so difficult for her…”
Yunice was momentarily stunned before she realized the truth. Elsie had likely been rejected by the Powells, and Owen was taking his frustration out on her. She let out a silent laugh and asked, “You only noticed that I suddenly stood up, but did you ever ask why I did? Do you know what 1030 represents? 1030 was my number in the psychiatric hospital. For three years, I had no name. 1030 was my identity.”
Looking toward Owen, she continued. “You blame me for standing up suddenly, but did you consider why? That number triggers a conditioned response in me. Do you know what kind of punishment I would receive in the psychiatric hospital if I was even one second late in standing up? Do you know what it feels like to have electric clamps on your fingers? Have you ever experienced incontinence? Tell me, who, after countless electric shocks, wouldn’t react as I did?”
Owen didn’t know. He knew nothing. He didn’t know 1030 was my number. He didn’t know I had been subjected to electric shocks. As a medical professional, Owen was well aware of how caregivers secretly abused patients. If this happened even in hospitals, how much patience would a psychiatric institution have for the mentally ill?
Yunice continued, “That massive hotel had numerous waitstaff, yet they just happened to assign someone with the ID 1030 to serve us.” Owen caught the implication and turned to Elsie with suspicion.
Chapter 15: Your Fiancée Sure Knows a Lot
In the past, Yabely would only argue with Oren, blaming him for his bias. Now she had learned to redirect the blame skillfully and persuasively. People act rationally when emotional. Yunice had once cared too much about family, which led her to complain and argue—never focusing on the key points. Owen had always dismissed her as unreasonable.
She no longer had expectations for him. She had detached herself, becoming an observer, and could finally see the…
Realizing Owen was doubting her, she quickly protested, “Tad ordered the food; I wasn’t involved. And the server’s ID was definitely just a coincidence. How could Paul deliberately torment my sister?”
With that, she shifted the blame to Paul. If Owen wanted to get to the bottom of it, he would have to confront Paul. But Owen valued family; he wouldn’t pursue the matter.