Mrs. Ward simply refused to believe Evelyn would truly call off the wedding—that she would dare not marry Julian.

What ordinary factory girl would throw away the chance to marry the owner’s son? It was the kind of luck that came once in a lifetime. Surely Evelyn wouldn’t be foolish enough to let it slip through her fingers.

“Fine!” Mrs. Ward spat, her voice sharp with mockery. “If you want to cancel the wedding, then cancel it. But you’ll be the one to go out there and explain it to the guests. Tell them you’re not getting married. Tell them the wedding is off!”

She thrust a finger toward the crowded hall, her eyes glinting with scorn, certain Evelyn would never dare.

Without a word, Evelyn rose and walked toward the main door.

Mr. Ward’s brow furrowed deeply. Just as she reached for the handle, he grabbed her arm and yanked her back, his tone thick with irritation. “Have you had your fill of this nonsense?”

“Nonsense?” Evelyn replied, her voice calm and steady.

Mrs. Ward, now pointing furiously toward the doorway, lost all restraint. “Let her go! If she doesn’t cancel this wedding today, she’s nothing but a shameless little tramp!”

Seizing the moment while Mr. Ward hesitated, Evelyn pulled the door open and stepped into the hall. Raising her voice, she announced clearly:

“Friends and family, the groom has not arrived. Julian’s family has shown us no respect—not even an explanation. My parents have left this decision to me, and I declare this wedding canceled!”

By the time the Wards rushed after her, Evelyn had said everything that needed saying—and more.

Mr. Ward’s large hand swung toward her face like a fan. “You foolish girl! Have you lost your mind? Who do you think you are, calling off a wedding like this?”

Evelyn ducked, dropping smoothly into a crouch. Mr. Ward, carried by his own momentum, spun a full, clumsy circle.

The tension shattered. Laughter erupted across the room.

Flushed with humiliation, Mr. Ward bellowed, “Evelyn!”

Evelyn tilted her head, coolly tapping her ear. “Father, did you not hear what Mother said earlier? She declared that if I didn’t cancel the wedding today, I would be… a shameless little tramp.”

She enunciated the last words slowly and clearly. What mother would use such vulgar language against her own daughter?

Mr. Ward’s face deepened from red to purple. Instead of denying it, he stammered, “She didn’t mean it! It was just words!”

He shot his wife a look, urging her to pacify Evelyn before she humiliated them further in front of everyone.

But Mrs. Ward only stared back, her expression cold and unmoving. She remained convinced—Evelyn would never truly give up Julian or this marriage.

Seeing the situation spiral, Sophia, Seraphina’s mother, stepped forward to mediate. “Evelyn, I’m sure Julian has been delayed by something important. When he arrives, we’ll make sure he apologizes properly. He’ll learn his lesson.”

Mr. Ward seized the excuse, his tone softening. “Yes, I’ll send someone to check the road.”

Evelyn remained composed. She knew exactly where Julian was—at the hospital, keeping vigil beside Seraphina. He wasn’t coming.

In matters of marriage, the elders’ words carried weight. Few took a young woman’s declaration seriously. Yet, somehow, Evelyn’s bold statement had silenced the whispers about the absent groom.

Gently, Sophia guided Evelyn back inside. She had always had a soft spot for the obedient, gentle girl. Seeing her upset pained her. “Don’t be angry, dear. I’m sure the groom will arrive soon.”

Evelyn studied Sophia’s delicate, kind face, her emotions tangled. This was her birth mother.

The two families had grown close over the years, thanks to the long friendship—and shared schooling—between Mrs. Ward and Sophia.

Even if Mrs. Ward, for her children’s sake, would never expose the affair between Sophia and Mr. Ward, the scandal alone would crush Sophia under the weight of gossip.

“I have a wedding gift for you,” Sophia said warmly, hoping to cheer her up. She presented a pair of handmade cloth dolls—a couple, perfect for the occasion.

The dolls were charming, but it was their eyes that caught Evelyn’s attention: two dark, metallic buttons, uncommon and distinctive.

In her past life, this gift had been “lost” by Mrs. Ward. Whether it was deliberate, Evelyn no longer cared. What mattered now were those buttons.

Seraphina had once boasted about them—how because of these very buttons, she had become the benefactor of Julian’s cousin, Adrian.

Back then, Evelyn had thought little of it. Seraphina was her friend; if she had connections in Julian’s family, all the better.

But Adrian was no mere factory owner’s son. He was a man of politics, his influence vast and formidable. In this new life, if Evelyn was to have her revenge, she could not allow Seraphina to gain his favor.

A spark lit in Evelyn’s eyes. Whether as a keepsake or a key to her plans, these buttons now held immense value.

“Thank you, Aunt Sophia,” she said, her smile warm and genuine. “I love them.”

Evelyn was lovely—almond eyes, rosy cheeks, lips like petals. Her smile could light up a room, and it did so now.

Sophia beamed, relieved. She had tried giving similar dolls before, but Mrs. Ward had always returned them, warning against “distractions.” Still, she couldn’t deny that Mrs. Ward had raised Evelyn well: clever, dutiful, and filial.

Unlike her own daughter, Seraphina—outwardly obedient but stubborn and secretive, her thoughts often a mystery.

Like today, of all days. Where was Seraphina, Evelyn’s dear friend? She hadn’t been seen since morning.

Sophia felt compelled to cover for her. “Seraphina isn’t feeling well today. She’ll come as soon as she’s better.”

Everyone knew of Seraphina’s weak heart, her fragile health.

Evelyn offered a polite smile but asked no questions, showing none of her usual concern.

Sophia felt a faint stir of unease. Today, Evelyn seemed different.

An hour slipped by. Mr. Ward’s men had scouted half a mile down the road—no sign of Julian or his family.

Outside, the murmurs began to rise once more.