Chapter 441 Martin Calls Off the Engagement
At the sight of his hand poised to strike again, Grace let out an involuntary shriek and ducked her head, a look of terror and distress on her face. Remembering the aunt who had cherished him since childhood, Riley ultimately didn't let his hand fall a second time. He slowly retracted his hand, turning to Patricia.
"Miss Watson, what happened today is Grace's fault, and I want to apologize on her behalf once more. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I hope you won't take her words to heart. I will take stricter measures with her. If she dares to do something like this again, there will be no leniency."
"Hmm!" Patricia nodded indifferently, her hand on the study door's knob, ready to leave.
Riley spoke again, "I hope Miss Watson will consider staying. After the dust settles with the Century Diamond issue, if you wish to stay, I will arrange for the company to buy a house here for you. If you choose to leave, I won't hold you back."
The jewelry design competition had come to a flawless close, and Patricia was free to leave, but not like this, not under these circumstances. Patricia turned to Grace, her tone cool, "However, Miss Koch doesn't seem to welcome me. Staying will only further strain our relationship."
Riley promised, "I assure you, it won't happen again!"
Seeing him speak so firmly, Patricia, opting for civility, gave a polite nod. "All right! Understood."
With that, she opened the study door and was stepping out when she froze at the sight of a tall figure standing by the doorway. Martin stepped aside, and with her head down, Patricia took her leave through the path he'd cleared for her.
Once she was gone, Martin entered the study and shut the door behind him. Seeing Martin, the sense of grievance Grace had suppressed bubbled up again. She walked over, looking pitifully up at Martin, "Martin, you're here!"
She thought he had come to comfort her, but Martin didn't even give her a glance; his gaze swept past Riley and settled on Shane.
After a day of turmoil, Shane appeared utterly exhausted. Feeling Martin's gaze, he asked kindly, "Martin, what brings you here? Do you need anything?" His voice sounded weary from exhaustion.
Martin held his gaze steady, articulating each word clearly, "I'm calling off my engagement to Grace." The moment he spoke, silence fell across the study once again, and three pairs of eyes fixed on him.
Given what had transpired that day, Shane naturally understood the reason for the broken engagement and held no grudges. Instead, he attempted to persuade him, "I know Grace has her flaws, and has made some mistakes, but... they're all related to her upbringing. I'll make sure she's disciplined properly. It won't happen again."
Martin shook his head with a lightness to his voice, "A leopard can't change its spots. I can deal with incompetence, but not malice."
His words struck twice; they criticized Grace for being both malicious and incompetent. Grace's face turned beet-red, tears streaming down uncontrollably. This time, the tears were not feigned; she was genuinely crying.
Martin was actually breaking off their engagement.
In a moment of desperation, she reached for Martin's hand, only to have him recoil with distaste. Left with no choice, she clung to his sleeve, begging pitifully, "Martin, I know I was wrong. My actions were misguided by my love for you and my fear of losing you. I promise to change; please don't call off the engagement. I can't be without you."
To win Martin over, she had sacrificed a lot, even to the point of falling out with Hunter. And yet, her actions had led to this broken engagement. Once more, Martin coldly shook off her grip without even a glance, addressing Shane, "I didn't come here to ask for your approval, just to inform you of my decision."
Shane felt a weariness consume him. Massaging his throbbing temples, he asked, "Is there really no chance to reconsider?"
Martin remained silent.
Understanding the implication, Shane closed his eyes in resignation and said wearily, "If that's the case, so be it. But I hope this doesn't affect your partnership with Jeremy."
"I keep my personal and professional lives separate," Martin assured.
"I know." Shane had always admired Martin. Though he felt it was a pity to lose him as a grandson-in-law, he respected Martin’s decision. After all, no man could bear to be with a woman so spiteful, whether she be a wife or a fiancée.
"Thank you." With that, Martin left without looking back. "Martin..." Grace called out, unable to let go.
Shane's rebuke brought the commotion to an abrupt halt. "Enough! You want to embarrass us even more?"
"But I truly realize my mistake; I don't want to call off the engagement, Grandpa, please help me... You've always been so fond of me, haven't you?" Grace cried uncontrollably, her makeup smeared and mascara streaking down her face in long, wet trails. She resembled nothing less than a madwoman.
Shane couldn't bear the sight of her and gestured to Riley, "Take her away and don't let her out of her room without my permission."
"Understood, Grandpa!"
Riley was about to lead Grace away when Shane added, "And find a manners coach and a character education tutor. She should spend some time learning proper behavior."
He had personally overseen the upbringing of his children and grandchildren. Though it yielded the likes of Kevin Koch, a slacker with little to no ambition or sense of responsibility, at least their character was intact. When Grace first joined the Koch family, he had taken her under his wing as well, especially after the incident at the swimming pool. He became even stricter with her, yet to no avail. Now, all he could do was entrust her education to a professional, hoping she could find her way back to virtue.
"Okay!" Riley nodded, forcefully escorting her away against her will, while Shane slumped back into his chair, eyes closed, overcome with exhaustion.
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