Chapter 16: How to Get the Bracelet Back?
As expected, Owen turned his attention back to Yunice. “Electroshock therapy is a standard treatment for mental illness. It’s not unreasonable for them to use it on you. What’s unreasonable is you. If you’re cured, then you should correct your bad habits. Do you really think that the number 1030 is going to avoid you forever?”
The moment Owen mentioned 1030, Yunice felt an involuntary jolt in her knee, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to stay still, biting into the meat in her mouth. The metallic taste of blood spread across her tongue. Yunice’s gaze steadied. “Don’t worry. I’ll change.”
Elsie, thinking she had turned the situation in her favor, smirked slightly, but before she could bask in her victory, Yunice spoke again. “But do you all really think the Powell family rejected Elsie just because of my outburst?”
Owen’s tone was indifferent. “Isn’t that the reason?”
Yunice chuckled. “I’ve been ‘crazy’ for a long time. This isn’t news. The Powell family has always known about my condition. Yet they still agreed to Elsie and Paul’s engagement. That means, as long as it’s not me marrying into their family, they don’t care about my illness. Am I wrong?”
No one could refute her. Yunice’s mental illness had been a known fact for years. Three years ago, she was already cast aside. There was no reason for the Powell family to suddenly act differently now.
She continued, “Besides, isn’t contrast supposed to make the flower look more beautiful? If I lost my composure, wouldn’t that make Elsie seem even more poised? If Mr. Jensen was truly satisfied with her, my presence should’ve only made him appreciate her more, not less.”
Owen choked on his words. Elsie clenched her fingers anxiously, while Lily’s expression turned sour. She shot Yunice a sharp glance.
Noticing Lily’s subtle movements, Yunice smirked inwardly. This woman had always believed she raised a beloved and admired rose, one that everyone should cherish.
Fine. Then let’s shatter that illusion.
“The Powell family isn’t just a wealthy family. They are the elite of the elite. Their chosen partners must be flawless in every way: appearance, family background, demeanor. Each trait must be impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. So tell me, do you really think a counterfeit heiress who gets asthma attacks whenever she’s too hot, too cold, too excited, too frightened, or whenever the air quality isn’t perfect is suitable to stand in the spotlight at high-society banquets?”
Owen froze. Elsie turned red with rage and stomped on her own mother’s foot.
Lily protested, “Yunice, how could you belittle your own sister like this? Owen truly loves Elsie. He doesn’t care about these things.”
Yunice did not hesitate to strike at the heart of the issue. “Is the Powell family run by Paul or by his father?”
Lily tried to argue, “Paul will persuade—”
“Mom,” Owen interrupted her. Lily might not understand how the world worked, but Owen did. Junior was right. Jensen was the one who made the decisions. Love did not matter. Paul could not go against his father. And Elsie’s illness… her background! Those were hidden risks Jensen, that old fox, would never take such a gamble.
Owen pressed a hand to his forehead, suddenly feeling irritable. Why had he not thought of this before!
Just when he thought the conversation could not get any more painful, Yunice delivered the final blow. “If the Saunders family’s status were powerful enough, then none of these hidden issues would be a problem. But unfortunately, in Mr. Jensen’s eyes, we are utterly insignificant. What he wants from a marriage alliance is a family that brings gold by the millions, not a charity case for us.”
Owen straightened his back, glaring at Yunice with even more hostility.
That’s right. How dare she criticize me? She was the most useless one in the family!
Watching the three of them glare at her like angry roosters, Yunice found the situation amusing. No one likes to hear the truth. Owen, especially, lived in a bubble of flattery, indulging in his own delusions. No wonder the Saunders family kept declining.
She did not bother arguing further as it would only be a waste of breath.
Elsie, however, took the opportunity to declare, “Owen, I will find a way to cure my illness and restore our family’s reputation.”
Seeing Elsie’s determined expression, Owen felt a wave of warmth in his chest. Yes. This was what a caring younger sister should be like. Unlike Yunice, who only knew how to stab her family where it hurt!
With Elsie by his side, Owen found Yunice even more insufferable. Elsie comforted him while heading upstairs, throwing a glance at Lily on the way. Understanding the silent message, Lily headed to the kitchen to prepare a plate of fruit for the two of them.
And so, Yunice was left alone again. But she did not feel lonely. In fact, she felt more at peace this way. Resting her chin on her hand, she sat downstairs, lost in thought. A face flashed through her mind. It was Wyatt.
She had to get her father’s bracelet back. It was one of the few things in this world that still meant something to her.
Everyone in Silverburgh knew Wyatt was a cruel man with a twisted sense of humor. He found pleasure in watching others. For the stingy, he would lure them into gambling, reveling in their downfalls as they lost everything. For insecure women, he would provide money, fueling their obsession with plastic surgery—until they butchered their own faces beyond recognition. Then, he would cut them off, leaving them no room for regret. For the devoted, he would deliberately send people to tempt them, watching as they spiraled into utter ruin before finally losing interest. The last of his amusements was long. It seemed he was just a man who enjoyed causing harm for no benefit of his own.
After gathering enough information on him, Yunice noticed a pattern. Wyatt’s targets were random, but he had a preference. He liked destroying things that were beautiful. He took pleasure in turning people into the very thing they hated most.
And now, Yunice suspected she was his next plaything. But what could possibly interest him about her? She was already ruined. No family, no love, no wealth, no future. What was there left for him to break? She could not figure it out, but one thing was certain. If anyone belonged in La mental hospital, it—
She looked up and saw Paul. After today’s disastrous gathering, she figured he was here to comfort Elsie. Without hesitation, she pointed upstairs. “They’re all up there.” Then, she lowered her gaze again, continuing to ponder her thoughts.
But Paul did not leave. Instead, he scoffed. “Yunice, do you think this is fun?”
She blinked. “Hmm?”
Paul stiffened. “You’re ignoring me on purpose. You canceled the engagement just to play hard to get and make me chase after you, right?”
Yunice was a little confused about what Paul was thinking. He would not have wanted it if she were to keep holding on to their past, but now that she was letting go, he seemed unhappy. What do you want?
“Oh. I get it now. You wanted me to beg you to stay so you could dramatically reject me, making yourself look even more desirable.” Yunice smirked.
“You!” Paul stammered, suddenly unsure of himself.
Yunice leaned back lazily. “You’re just mad that I let you go too easily. Your ego couldn’t handle it, so now you’re here to make trouble.”
Paul clenched his jaw. “You. You got it wrong! I dumped you first!”
Yunice tilted her head. “Then why do you seem like the one who can’t move on?”