CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: FACE-SLAPPING! THE PENCE FAMILY TEARS OFF THE MASK (PART 1)

Holly received Zion Pence’s messages a day later.

A dozen or so messages from an unfamiliar number crowded the screen.

Even though she’d blocked all his contacts, she didn’t know where he’d found a new number.

Looking at the incomprehensible messages on her screen, Holly was baffled.

What was he doing now?

As she was about to block this number too, a call came in.

Holly hesitated for a moment, her hand instinctively swiping right to answer.

Zion Pence’s voice came through the receiver: "Holly, why aren’t you responding? I know you’ve already bought..."

Holly immediately hung up.

Followed by blocking and deleting the number.

But the peace only lasted a few minutes.

Soon after, another call came in, the name flashing on the screen was [Grandma Pence.]

Holly furrowed her brows even deeper, what exactly was Zion Pence trying to do!

The call went unanswered and automatically hung up after a minute, but it came through again shortly after.

Holly had no choice but to answer.

As she expected, Zion Pence’s voice came from the other end:

"Holly, do you remember what day the day after tomorrow is? Grandma’s birthday feast is coming up, and she’s been mentioning you these past few days."

Holly listened to his calm tone, as if everything that happened before was just a dream, as if it never happened!

"Zion Pence, I’ve made it very clear, our engagement is off!"

There was some shuffling, and then Grandma Pence’s aged voice came through: "Holly, you have to come to Grandma’s birthday banquet the day after tomorrow!"

Facing the elderly woman, Holly’s heart softened a bit.

Unlike everyone else in the Pence family who treated her with scorn, Old Mrs. Pence had always been kinder to her; when they got engaged, she’d even given Holly the bracelet and earrings meant for her grandson’s wife.

She softened her tone: "Grandma, I have some things to deal with that day, I might not make it."

The old lady sighed slightly: "Oh Holly, do you not even have time to come see Grandma?"

Holly hesitated for a moment and finally agreed.

Just as well, it would allow her to return the bracelet and earrings this time.

...

At night, the Pence family villa was brightly lit.

Holly deliberately had dinner before coming, afraid she wouldn’t have the energy if things got heated.

Old Mrs. Pence’s 70th birthday banquet, Zion Pence’s career on the rise, many people had come to pay their respects.

Holly had just gotten out of her car when she ran into several clients she’d previously worked with. After a brief exchange, she headed directly to the main hall.

The banquet was held in the family’s villa.

The main hall was the venue for the banquet.

As Holly entered the main hall, she saw Zion Pence surrounded at the center.

He was wearing the dark blue suit she’d bought for him months ago; spotting her, his eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward, "Holly, you’re here."

His tone was so familiar it was as if they had never parted.

Holly really didn’t understand how he managed to be so thick-skinned.

She couldn’t even be bothered to give him a glance, squeezing out a simple "Hmm" from her throat.

Zion Pence was left a bit flustered, his face stiffening, but recalling the brooch, he forced a smile back.

"Grandma has been waiting for a long time, let’s head there."

Holly finally looked at him, bluntly asking: "Have you mentioned the wedding cancellation?"

Zion Pence’s smile faltered slightly, glancing around before forcing a smile.

He lowered his voice: "Let’s talk inside."

Holly sneered and followed him.

To reach the back from the main hall, one had to pass through an outdoor pavilion. At the pavilion’s corner, Zion Pence suddenly stopped.

The surroundings were eerily quiet.

In the silent night, aside from the sound of artificial streams, only some noise from the main hall could be heard.

"What are you doing?" Holly asked.

Zion Pence slowly turned around, once again donning that tenderly affectionate expression, "Holly, I’ve reflected a lot these days..."

In the lamplight, his eyes were slightly reddened, and he spoke with a hint of choking: "I realize my mistakes, Holly, let’s reconcile."

What a huge joke!

Was this still Chinese?

How absurd!

Holly frowned, looking at him as if he were crazy, "Did a dog bite your brain?"

Zion Pence couldn’t hold it in: "....I’m trying to talk nicely to you, can’t you not be like this?"

"Like what?" Holly sneered, "Should I be shamelessly entangled like you?"

Holly was bewildered by his inexplicable behavior.

Anyone unfamiliar would think Zion Pence suffered amnesia after a car accident.

"I made it very clear that day in the hospital, it’s impossible between us, we won’t reconcile, and we absolutely won’t marry!"

"I don’t believe it! If what you said about us is true, why did you come today? Didn’t you come to see me?"

Holly: ".....?"

Excuse me?

Quite the average yet confident man.

"You’re overthinking, I’m here to return something." Holly said and took out the jewelry box containing the bracelet and earrings from her bag, opening it.

Zion Pence looked at the box in her hand, shook his head, and laughed.

"Holly, we’ve been together for seven years; I know you best. This is just an excuse, and I also know you haven’t forgotten me."

Holly didn’t know where he got the courage to say that, scoffing coldly, "Zion Pence, we were together for seven years, but not in love for seven! We’re over!"

"But in my heart, we never separated! If you’ve really moved on, why buy that brooch?"

The brooch?

Holly was taken aback for a moment.

She had no idea how Zion Pence knew she bought a brooch, but it was clear he misunderstood.

"It’s not for you."

"Another excuse!"

Zion Pence’s eyes burned, "Holly, stop being stubborn. The Y-shaped design, isn’t it ’Yeh’? I know you still love me, you have no idea how I’ve been these days. Holly, I really miss you!"

Zion Pence’s face was full of sincerity, and he tried to grab her hand.

Holly took three steps back, looking at him impassively. The man might have been beaming, but the words coming from his mouth were mere justifications and excuses.

Her voice was as cold as it could be, "Are you tired of the crap outside and reminiscing about the past? Zion Pence, when will you finally stop lying through your teeth?"

Holly had no interest in watching him perform his sincere act any longer, turning on her heel and walking away briskly.

Zion Pence saw this and hurriedly chased after her, grabbing her arm at a corner.

"Let go!"

"Holly, I will change! Don’t worry, I swear no one will ever come between us again!"

"Swear?"

A man’s oath is the most unreliable thing on Earth! It’s no different from a dog’s bark.

Holly glared at her trapped wrist, speaking coldly: "Dare you make Mia Chapelle abort the baby?"

She raised her eyes, staring into Zion Pence’s.

Moments passed, one by one.

Zion Pence’s face turned blue, then white.

Eventually, after what felt like ages, he forced himself to feign difficulty, "The child is innocent, it’s been nearly three months. The doctor said during the check-up that Mia’s health is poor; an abortion would greatly affect her health."

"Ha!"

Holly couldn’t help but laugh.

"Zion Pence, do you now consider yourself a man? Feeling responsible? Do you actually think you’re being noble?"

Holly was nearly out of breath by the end.

He was utterly shameless!

She took a step closer.

The light drew a stark ’Chuhe’ boundary between them.

"You talk about making amends with me, yet you want Mia Chapelle to have your child. What are you, some kind of emperor? Is three palaces and six courtyards not enough, do you need a son and daughter to feel dignified?"

They were so close now that she could see every micro-expression on Zion Pence’s face.

Likewise, she saw his true nature clearly.

Selfish, deceitful, disgusting!

Zion Pence gripped her wrist tightly, panicking: "No, listen to me. This child will only have us as parents, and you’ll be the mother!"

"After Mia gives birth, it will be our child; you’ll be the mom, I’ll be the dad. Holly, I know your health isn’t good, with this child you won’t have to suffer, we’ll be a happy family....."

"Snap!"