Chapter 222

Meanwhile, in The Miller Group building, Zachary and Niamh sat facing each other in the conference room.

Zachary got straight to the point. "Ms. Neville, breaking off our engagement was entirely my own decision from start to finish. Stop harassing the people around me."

Niamh clenched her fists, voice filled with resentment. "Why? We knew each other first. Why do you just get to walk away?"

"Ms. Neville," Zachary sighed, "I admit we knew each other first, but mostly because of our families' elders. Over these years, I can count on one hand how many times I've seen you."

Since learning about their engagement, he'd never seen Niamh again.

From the beginning, he'd never wanted an arranged marriage.

Niamh understood this logic. So he couldn't understand why she'd gone after Gwen.

"But I'm not satisfied with this." Niamh looked at Zachary seriously. "Since we knew each other first, shouldn't you consider me more in everything? Why have you never considered my feelings? Don't you understand how humiliating your sudden engagement break is for me?"

Zachary tried to explain. "It wasn't sudden. I seriously explained my intention to break the engagement long ago. You just wouldn't listen."

He knew his decision would inevitably affect the Neville family, so after breaking the engagement, he'd given them substantial benefits.

Niamh's parents had accepted everything, even expressing deep gratitude. So Niamh's insistence was purely about saving face from start to finish.

The more this became clear, the more frustrated Zachary felt.

He could offer more benefits. But if Niamh only wanted dignity, he truly couldn't provide that.

Niamh stood up, attitude firm. "No matter what you say, I won't change my mind. You can break off our engagement, but I absolutely won't let you marry a divorced woman."

Hearing this, Zachary frowned irritably.

"Ms. Neville, you're not my family. I don't think you're qualified to control my life."

He also stood, his tall frame imposing. "Ms. Neville, I've said all I can say. If you continue to harm people around me, I'll have to use my own methods to protect her."

The Neville family couldn't be unaware of his methods.

Niamh took a step back, biting her lip.

After Zachary left, she immediately called Orion.

She wanted to complain. After all, Orion had liked her before. Breaking the engagement must have been reluctant on his part.

But as soon as the call connected, Orion said, "Niamh, our Quinn family has wronged you. We can agree to whatever you want, but this engagement..."

Orion looked at Elysia and said gently, "I'd rather you both find your own happiness instead of being bound by an engagement decided by elders. Niamh, do you really like Zachary?"

Niamh clutched her phone, blinking in confusion.

Did she like Zachary?

How could she not?

Since childhood, she'd known Zachary was outstanding. No one could dislike an outstanding person, especially her childhood friend.

They'd grown up together and had their engagement set in adulthood. By all logic, they should have lived happily ever after.

This was the path her family had set for her. Because Zachary was outstanding enough, Niamh had fully accepted it.

But hearing Orion's words, Niamh began to reflect.

She didn't necessarily like Zachary that much.

After all, to get revenge on Gwen, she had actually done things that hurt Zachary.

She didn't care about anyone—only about who she wanted to get revenge on, only about who had made her lose face.

Orion said earnestly, "So Niamh, think it over carefully. Don't worry, I still regard you as my granddaughter. Tell me whatever you need in the future. If you don't mind, you can also visit me often."

Niamh's eyes reddened. "Alright..."

She hung up and broke down crying in the conference room.

The online controversy gradually disappeared. Liora Atelier hadn't been affected at all from start to finish. Instead, the controversy had actually increased brand awareness.

The studio's brand was thriving, and Gwen's mood improved daily.

She went shopping at the mall with Susan and spotted familiar cufflinks at a counter—ones she'd once bought for Zachary.

Gwen looked at them for a while, then turned her head and saw a matching tie clip in the same color.

Susan noticed Gwen's gaze and couldn't help teasing, "Why are you looking at tie clips? Don't tell me you want to buy one for Zachary?"

Gwen's face flushed. She wanted to deny it, but her eyes remained fixed on that tie clip.

Then she nodded. "I kind of want to buy it for him..."

Zachary had bought her so many things. She should really buy him a gift in return.

But would Zachary like it?

Susan encouraged her from the side. "If you want to buy it, just buy it. You might not find such a nice style next time."

Gwen nodded and called over the clerk to purchase the tie clip.

Zachary hadn't contacted her since that time. Who knew when they'd see each other next?

But a tie clip wasn't seasonal anyway. Even if she gave it to him later, it would be fine.

Gwen accepted the gift box from the clerk and thanked her softly.

"Before, you swore you wouldn't get together with Zachary. Now you can't even go shopping without thinking about what he'd like. I'd say you've already fallen head over heels." Susan teased with a laugh.

In the past, Gwen would have denied what Susan said. But today's behavior really couldn't be explained away.

She could only smile and say, "He's been very good to me. I should buy him a gift. I can't just keep accepting his kindness."

Susan raised an eyebrow. "I see. You're still so stubborn. But why haven't I seen you spending time with Zachary lately? You two didn't fight, did you?"

Thinking about it, Susan didn't think that was likely.

If they'd really fought, Gwen couldn't be this calm when mentioning Zachary. But the two of them really hadn't seen each other in quite a while.

Gwen thought about it and realized they indeed hadn't seen each other in half a month.

She'd been so busy with the brand that she hadn't noticed until Susan brought it up.

She explained, "I told him to resolve his situation before we see each other again."

Susan immediately guessed her thinking. "You want to be with him, so you're making him resolve things first, right?"

Gwen nodded openly. "Yes."