Chapter 20
Chapter 20:
After delivering her statement, Judie’s intense, piercing eyes locked onto Fernanda, brimming with anticipation for her response.
Surprisingly, Fernanda showed no signs of sorrow, anger, or shock. Instead, a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“Breaking off the engagement? That’s perfect,” Fernanda replied with serene composure. “I was hoping for this outcome myself. So, what are the next steps? Is there something I need to sign?”
A crease formed between Judie’s brows, her curiosity piqued. She wondered whether Fernanda truly felt indifferent or if she was only masking her real feelings behind a clever façade.
“You aren’t upset?” Judie asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“Upset? Why would I be upset? I’m actually relieved,” Fernanda answered smoothly. “Honestly, who would want to marry someone they’ve never even met?”
Judie’s tone swelled with pride as she retorted, “The Harper family is no insignificant lineage, especially compared to yours.”
She continued, her voice full of family pride, “And my maternal family, the Singh family, is among the most prestigious in Esaham. Aligning yourself with us would have bestowed on your family a privilege you could hardly imagine.”
Fernanda couldn’t hold back a light, teasing laugh.
Judie’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp with irritation. “What’s so funny? Do you doubt my words?”
“It’s not that I doubt you,” Fernanda replied, shaking her head slightly. “It’s just that you’re rather entertaining.”
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“Entertaining?” Judie’s expression twisted with confusion at Fernanda’s response.
“Indeed,” Fernanda continued, her tone light. “Since you’ve made it clear you don’t want me as your daughter-in-law, perhaps you shouldn’t boast so much about your family’s influence. Imagine if I were tempted by your stories of power and refused to end my engagement with your son. Wouldn’t that ruin your plans?”
“Come on,” Judie scoffed, her expression filled with sheer disdain. “As if you could ever force your way into our family. Do you honestly think we’d let that happen?”
“And who says it’s up to you?” Fernanda countered, raising an eyebrow.
“And who else would it be?” Judie shot back. “You think you hold the reins?”
With a sly grin, Fernanda replied, “You might refuse to accept me, but I’m curious how your family would react if tomorrow’s headlines painted the Harper family as tyrants who break their promises. Such notoriety could hardly benefit your esteemed family, could it?”
Judie stared at Fernanda in disbelief. “Are you threatening me?”
“That’s not my intent,” Fernanda answered, shrugging nonchalantly with a grin. “But don’t take my word for it—test it if you must.”
“Fernanda,” Judie muttered her name slowly, her voice icy and edged with menace. “I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—you’re just as awful as your mother.”
The light in Fernanda’s eyes slowly faded. Her real mother was Gracie Cooper.
“You know my mother?” Fernanda asked sharply, her tone turning cold.
“Yes, I knew her well,” Judie responded with a sneer. “Your mother was nothing short of an awful woman. It’s no wonder her daughter is equally irritating. Like mother, like daughter—both of you are a sight for sore eyes.”
“Judie!” Fernanda snapped, her face tightening in anger. “I won’t tolerate you disrespecting my mother.”
“I’m merely stating the facts,” Judie replied, her lips, heavily painted, curling and uncurling with deliberate malice. “Until her last breath, your mother was a thorn in my side, always insisting on pushing you into my family’s life. As though the offspring of such a woman could ever stand tall among us.”
With a sudden step forward, Fernanda pointed an accusing finger at Judie. “I have treated you with respect. If you dare insult my mother again, you’ll regret pushing me this far.”
Judie met Fernanda’s gaze. The woman before her was much younger, yet she stood unwavering.
For a fleeting moment, Judie felt a ripple of unease stirred by Fernanda’s resolve.
“Are you seriously threatening me?” Judie gasped, her voice tinged with disbelief. “It’s clear from your behavior that proper manners were never part of your upbringing.”
In a swift motion, Fernanda’s hand shot out, seizing the front clasp of Judie’s tailored gown and forcefully pushing her back.
Judie, unsteady on her high heels, let out a startled yelp as Fernanda maneuvered her against the sofa.
“The line is drawn at my mother,” Fernanda declared firmly. Her fingers tightened on Judie’s gown, her intense gaze just inches from Judie’s face. “Try me—say one more thing, and I’ll make sure you can’t run that filthy mouth anymore.”
“How dare you!” Judie exclaimed, her breath constricted as the neckline of her gown strained under Fernanda’s grip. She found herself awkwardly sprawled and completely immobilized.
It was a situation she utterly loathed. “Help! Someone!” Judie’s voice escalated in desperation. “Come in here and get rid of this woman immediately!”
“Didn’t you just say you didn’t want me marrying into your family?” Fernanda’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile. “Well, maybe I’ll do just that—marry your son, enter this house every day, and torment you endlessly. How does that sound?”
“You… you wouldn’t dare!” Judie’s voice trembled with fury, her usual composure slipping away. Just then, the door burst open.
“Darling, help me!” Judie called out, her voice filled with indignation. “This insolent woman is about to attack me! There is no way I’m letting our son end up with someone so low! Announce immediately to everyone below that the engagement is canceled! From this moment, the Morgan family is our adversary!”
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