The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Joanna was in a bind. She had taken out a loan of ninety million, leaving her bank account virtually empty. To make matters worse, Kieran had broken off his engagement with Freya at the worst time.

Without Kieran's connection, Joanna got increasingly ostracized within their social circle. Even the friends she used to play cards with started to ignore her calls after hearing about Kieran and Freya's split. Desperate, Joanna had no choice but to turn to Audrey. At that moment, Audrey sat on the couch, deep in thought and visibly tired, when she said, "Mrs. Dawson, what brings you here?"

There was a distance in Audrey's tone.

Joanna quickly replied, "Mrs. Sutton, I'm here concerning the things between Freya and Mr. Sutton." Her voice was pleading.

But Audrey responded coldly, "It concerns the two young people. Since they've chosen to call off the engagement, Mrs. Dawson, you shouldn't interfere."

Freya had been nothing but a disappointment to Audrey. And Audrey had no interest in seeing Freya continue as part of the Sutton family.

Joanna hurriedly said, "Mrs. Sutton, I know Freya has let you down, and that's why I came - to solve this problem for you."

"Oh? And how do you propose to do that?" Audrey asked, intrigued yet skeptical.

"Mrs. Sutton, I know Freya has been disobedient lately, and you had your eye on Miss Miller from the Miller family."

Throughout, Joanna carefully watched Audrey's reaction. When seeing no change in Audrey's expression, Joanna continued, "Miss Miller, who's been spoiled her whole life, can't handle the slightest discomfort. Now, my niece Kara, she's a different story-friendly, obedient, capable, and from a modest background. Without Mr. Sutton's help, Kara wouldn't have been able to attend Summit University. I heard Mr. Sutton even came to Kara's aid at the club recently. Kara has wanted to look after Mr. Sutton, even if it means being a humble maid by his side."

Joanna's insinuations were clear. But Audrey understood it well. Essentially, Joanna was trying to push Kara onto Kieran.

Upon hearing this, Audrey couldn't help but laugh, "Mrs. Dawson, you do know how to play your cards."

First, it was Freya, then Kara. Joanna's greed knew no bounds.

Joanna could sense the mockery in Audrey's words but didn't care. After all, what mattered was securing a good position for Kara, her blood relative, while Freya was only her stepdaughter.

Joanna eagerly said, "Mrs. Sutton, you'll like this sensible and well-behaved girl if you meet Kara! If Kara were to look after Mr. Sutton, you'd be at ease, wouldn't you?"

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"Since you've put it that way, bring her here for me to see. Perhaps our families can still be relatives if she's as good as you say." Upon hearing Audrey's response, Joanna was over the moon. "Great! I'll have Kara come over to meet you right away!"

After Joanna left, Audrey scoffed, 'Such a greedy woman!'

"Mrs. Sutton, are you seriously considering letting Mrs. Dawson's niece look after Mr. Sutton? Doesn't that seem inappropriate?" After all, Flavia was the precious daughter of the Miller family. But who was this Kara that had suddenly appeared?

"Why refuse a gift horse? As long as she's obedient, easy to handle,

doesn't cost much, and looks

decent. Besides, I'd take anyone as long as it's not that Harwoodgirl."

Audrey had initially favored Freya. Unfortunately, Freya was too headstrong. So, Audrey decided to find a more compliant girl to fill Freya's shoes.