Chapter 46: Queenie, before my business trip, my mother agreed to our marriage!

The sycamore trees on both sides of the Institute of Archaeology entrance were adorned with colorful lights and various "birthday wishes" and "love" cards. The lights were twinkling, the evening breeze was gentle, and the surroundings were filled with romance.

Queenie followed Detective So into the courtyard of the Institute of Archaeology, feeling confused. Inside. Her colleagues were holding heart-shaped balloons of various colors and had formed a circle, wearing smiles filled with blessings.

In the center of the courtyard stood a projection screen as tall as a person. With a buzzing sound, Pollard's figure appeared on the screen. He was wearing a black suit with a red tie and held a bouquet of roses. Behind him was the location of his current archaeological site.

"Queenie," Pollard called with a warm smile, his expression serious.
Pollard nervously cleared his throat, adjusted his tie, and repeatedly asked those around him, "Is this okay?" Once everyone replied "Ok," he looked silly and smiled at the camera.

"Queenie, I've always wished to propose to you on your birthday. After three years and one thousand and ninety-five days and nights together, I am certain that you are the soulmate I want to spend my life with. Queenie, I know you must be angry with me for not contacting you for such a long time."

As he spoke, Pollard chuckled.

"All of this was taught to me by my junior sister. She said it's about suppressing one's desires before revealing them. By deliberately neglecting you for a while, when the proposal day comes, you will receive double the surprise. Queenie, don't worry. I have considered this proposal carefully. Before my business trip, I spoke to my mother and told her that when I return from this trip, we will go and register our marriage. She agreed. So..."

Pollard blushed and shyly called out, "Queenie," before dropping down on one knee.

"Will you marry me?"

The projection of Pollard on the screen looked sincere with his gaze.

The wind rustled the bell that were hanging from the parasol trees, making everything feel like a dream.

Queenie's heart rose and fell violently.

When Pollard kneeled down with a thump, it felt as if her heart had been struck by the hammer of an ancient clock, causing her breath to become rapid.

Her colleagues cheered around her.

"Marry him!"

"Marry him!"

Even the old director had a wide smile on his face and clapped his hands, encouraging, "Marry him! Marry him!"

With only a thread of rationality left, Queenie shook her head, stumbled back a few steps, and said, "No... I can't agree! I can't agree!"

The joyous atmosphere abruptly came to a halt, like someone pressing the pause button.

Queenie, in a state of distress, ran away from the Institute of Archaeology, leaving the bewildered colleagues staring at Pollard.

No one knew where the problem had occurred.

Queenie ran all the way, not even noticing Sarah, who was secretly recording a video, as she passed by.

All she knew was that she had to leave this place immediately!

She continued to run, and the sound of the rushing wind filled her ears.

There are various voices, such as what Macy said, "Some people, perhaps wanting to surprise you. For now, they suppress and ignore you, waiting to surprise you after work. You will have an emotional rebound and be deeply moved."

Soon after, Pollard's words were heard in her ears. "Queenie, I want to give you a grand proposal ceremony."
"Queenie, I am sure you are the soulmate I have been looking for."
"Queenie, today is your birthday, will you marry me?"
"Queenie, don't worry, my mom will take care of you."
"Queenie, when I return from this business trip, we will get married." ... All the voices mixed together, and Queenie finally lost control, squatting by the river, covering her face and crying in pain.

It turns out that Pollard had previously decided to propose on her birthday. He already had an agreement with Lilith to get married when he returned from this business trip, which is why Lilith was so impatient to push her onto Benoit's bed! She hated it! She truly despised Lilith!

She also hated the twists and turns of fate! But what good does hatred do? Now that the situation is beyond her control, Queenie and Pollard can never go back to the way things were.

Queenie felt a pain in her heart as if she were suffocating. Pollard's phone calls came one after another. She refused time and time again to answer them, and finally turned off her phone, sitting alone by the river.

She didn't know how long she cried, but Queenie felt as if she had cried all the tears of her life and now was finally able to regain her composure.

She sat still, lost in thought for a long time, and then turned on her phone again and called Pollard back.

"Pollard, I got married."

Pollard on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then responded, "That's impossible. Queenie, I know you're angry about this business trip. You're just trying to upset me by saying that."

"No, Pollard, we're done. It's my fault, I should have told you earlier. But things happened so suddenly, I wasn't prepared and then I forgot to tell you. Between you and me, we always lacked a formal breakup ceremony."

Pausing for a moment, Queenie calmly continued, "Listen, Pollard, we're done. The day you went on your business trip..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Lilith, who had just received a marriage proposal video from Monica, rushed over and snatched Queenie's phone, shouting excitedly. "What did you say to Pollard? What did you tell him about me?"

Exasperated, Lilith explained to Pollard on the other end of the phone, "Pollard, don't listen to what Queenie is saying! I didn't do anything! Trust your mom!" After a moment, Pollard's voice filled the speaker of the phone with confusion, "Mom... What are you talking about? Queenie, what did you say?"

"Queenie, you haven't said a word and you're not a good person." Lilith knew she had revealed herself, her guilty face turned pale, and she quickly pacified Pollard, "I still have something to say to Queenie, let me hang up first."

After saying that, Lilith hung up the phone and fiercely threw it at Queenie.

"I really underestimated you! You married Benoit and still managed to seduce my Pollard into proposing to you. If Monica hadn't told me and if I hadn’t arrived here in time, were you about to tell Pollard that I pushed you onto Benoit's bed? Are you trying to break our mother-son relationship? Is that what you want?" Lilith glared at Queenie with anger.

Queenie glared back at Lilith with hatred, "Look in the mirror, your guilty appearance is truly laughable! Am I trying to break your mother-son relationship? Aren't the things you just said true?"

Lilith gnashed her teeth in anger, "Queenie, I forbid it! I forbid you to tell Pollard. I'm asking you, are you still thinking that Pollard will come back, help you divorce Benoit, and you two can be together again? Let me tell you something; you're dreaming!"

Queenie calmly smiled, "Rest assured, I won't dream that dream again."

Lilith clearly didn't expect her to answer that way and was momentarily stunned.

Queenie casually passed by her side, looking at her indifferently, "Even if Pollard is great in a thousand ways, he was one thing against him, and that is having a mother like you. I will never turn back in this lifetime."

After speaking, Queenie walked away from the riverbank with determined steps.

She had been too overwhelmed just now, completely unaware that Pollard would propose to her on her birthday.

By the time she calmed down, she realized with great clarity that her feelings for Pollard were only left with unwillingness and regret.

The moral and ethical lines standing between them made her never have any other thoughts about Pollard.

Moreover, with Pollard having a mother like this, she could never turn back.

Love can consider the mutual understanding and companionship of two people, but sometimes marriage really needs to also have good in-laws.

A formidable and influential mother-in-law is enough to ruin a good marriage and a beautiful love.

At this moment, Queenie understood the meaning behind it all and became even more aware that she needed to cut ties decisively!

Eradicate all remaining memories of Pollard in her heart!