Chapter 6: Engagement Is Called Off

Jasper stepped forward, his gaze coldly slicing through the air towards Anna. “If you don't apologize to Thea for this incident, I will go ask my parents to call off our engagement.”

He had expected Anna to panic and rush over to apologize, grovelling and explaining herself as she had done in the past. However, Jasper waited for quite some time, and Anna just stood there quietly, unmoving, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

Anna looked at Jasper, feeling a wave of disgust. If he really liked Thea, why had he not objected when their families had arranged their engagement in the first place? It was as though she had desperately begged for this engagement herself.

Thea's eyes reddened. She reached out, clutching Jasper's arm with a soft voice. “It's all my fault. Don't fight over this. Anna was just angry. She didn't mean it. Don't be mad at her.”

Alexander couldn't stand seeing Thea like this. Clearly the victim, yet she still stood up for Anna, which broke his heart. He pointed at Anna and yelled, “Anna, do you even have a heart? Thea is still defending you. Don't you realize your mistake? This is your last chance. Apologize now!”

Benjamin, feeling protective, pulled Thea close to him and glared fiercely at Anna. “Anna, don't think that just because Thea is speaking for you, you can cover up your mistakes. If you don't apologize today, this won't be over.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Thea's eyes. Anna had changed. In the past, whenever her brothers spoke harshly, she would immediately panic and comply. But this time, no matter what her brothers said, Anna refused to back down, unbowed by whatever it was they expected.

William also approached, shouting at Anna, “Look at Thea! She's so sensible! And look at you! You even had someone hurt your sister, and then you can be even so shameless. Anna, you've completely disgraced the Hayes family!”

Indeed, to those who disliked you, even breathing seemed a fault.

Anna looked at them all, listening to their harsh words, thinking she would feel nothing. But the corners of her eyes began to sting. How desperately she had craved the warmth of family affection, doing everything she could to please them, but what had it brought her?

In fact, compared to Thea, it was her own family who had hurt her the deepest.

Anna lowered her gaze, concealing the indifference in her eyes, and spoke deliberately, “As I said before, I won't apologize for something I haven't done.”

“You are...” William, pointing at Anna, was nearly choked with rage.

His usually obedient daughter had suddenly changed, and he couldn't fathom what had triggered this.

“Dad, I'm okay now. We are sisters, and I won't hold it against Anna,” Thea said, pausing before turning to Anna. “Anna, come over and apologize to Dad. Make us a nice meal, and we can put this behind us.”

Thea continued to look after Anna, adopting an attitude like she would rather be aggrieved herself than make Anna uncomfortable. She turned and earnestly tried to persuade Anna to back down. How could anyone heartlessly refuse such a pitiful plea?

Anna scoffed, "Well, why don't you tell me what I did wrong? If you can explain it clearly, I'll apologize."

Anna had always thought of Thea as a rare good person. Whenever the Hayes family accused her, Thea was the first to defend her, as if everything she did was for her good. But now things were different. She had seen Thea's true colors and would not be deceived by her again.

These words truly choked Thea, her face turned sour, and tears began to well up in her eyes. She was merely trying to give Anna an out, but Anna wasn't playing by the rules, leaving Thea at a loss for words.

Previously, whenever Anna was accused by her brothers, Thea would stand up for her. It seemed like the most natural thing to do. But now, not only was Anna ungrateful, she mocked Thea coldly, almost like she was a different person.

"Anna, I mean no harm. I just want us to be a harmonious family. Isn't that better than anything?" Thea explained helplessly, her eyes red and teary as she looked at Anna.

Thea’s cautious demeanor made those around them feel pity for her. Jasper couldn't stand it anymore. He pulled out the agreement their parents signed when they got engaged and without another word, threw it at Anna's face. "Anna, you disgust me. You are willing to sell your own body to hurt your sister. I'm calling off our engagement right now. No one can stop me."

The agreement stung Anna's face as she glared coldly at Jasper and said, "Fine!"

"Jazz, please..."

"Thea, stop defending Anna. You are too kind, and that's why she takes advantage of you."

Jasper interrupted before she could finish.

Thea lowered her eyes, her lips pursing in grievance. She opened her mouth to say something but ended up saying nothing.

Anna chuckled softly, bent down to pick up the agreement, and looked at it seriously. Then, with an expressionless face, she tore it up and threw the pieces at Jasper.

"Since you like Thea, and now that the agreement is destroyed, from now on, we have nothing to do with each other. I will choose my own marriage. You just be with Thea and stop harming other women."

As Anna spoke these words, she felt an inexplicable thrill inside her heart.

Such a scum and a vile woman. They might as well be tied together for life!