While Lucille tossed and turned, haunted by the tormenting images in her dreams, Edward couldn't find a moment of peace. Mark had gone back after dropping him off, just to pick up his own car.
Edward paced his room, his mind a storm of fury. He would make Lucille pay. For the humiliation. For every insult.
Without wasting another second, he left his house, jumped into his car, and drove off in a rush.
Less than thirty minutes later, he pulled into the driveway of a grand estate, his family's home.
He switched off the engine, stepping out of the car. The sight of several luxury cars neatly lined up confirmed it: his father was likely in one of his political meetings.
His anger burned hotter as he strode toward the house, each step fueled by the fire inside him.
"Eddy?" His mother, Maude Jones, called out the moment she saw him enter the living room.
She stood from the sofa and rushed to him, concern in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was late, far later than he usually came in. When Edward showed up at this hour, it always meant something bad had happened.
"I need to see Dad," he spat, brushing past her as he made his way to the stairs.
"He's in a meeting!" His mother almost screamed, but Edward barely acknowledged her, his focus set on what he had to do.
He stormed down the hallway, his heart pounding, until he stood before the large door. The meeting room. The place where his father held all his important political discussions.
He shouldn't enter, not with his father's colleagues gathered inside, but his rage overpowered any hesitation. He would break the rules. He would confront his father and all those influential people, no matter the consequences.
"Eddy!" His mother's voice whispered urgently from behind him.
She had chased after him, hoping to stop him from barging into his father's meeting and getting himself into trouble.
"Please, talk to me," she begged, her voice filled with worry.She could feel the anger radiating off him, and she knew he was in a terrible mood.
Edward scoffed, unwilling to listen to his mother. Instead, he was focused on the people in the meeting room. Lucille's punishment would come faster.
With a cruel smile, he ignored his mother's pleading and grabbed the door handle, twisting it.
"What's wrong with you, Edward? Have you lost your mind?" Maude Jones said sharply, her voice low but full of anger.
But the door was already open, and Edward stepped into the meeting room, closing it firmly behind him.
The moment he entered, every eye in the room turned to him.
"Edward!" Williams Jones yelled, furious.
"What is this insolence?" he barked.
Edward lowered his head, speaking with quiet respect. "I'm sorry, Dad, but it's urgent."
"And it couldn't wait until I'm finished?" Williams shouted.
"My mate severed the bond in public today," Edward said quickly, and as he expected, his father's voice immediately fell silent.
Shock filled the room as everyone stared at him.
"What?" Williams whispered, stunned.
"Did you cheat on her?" Williams asked.
"No, Dad," Edward replied quickly.
"Did you hit her at all?" Williams asked again, his piercing gaze fixed on Edward.
"No, Dad! I didn't do anything like that. You can investigate if you want," Edward responded sharply, forcing himself to keep his anger in check.
"And you know what, Dad? She did it at the party. In front of everyone! I've never felt so embarrassed in my life!" He couldn't hold back his frustration any longer and clenched his fists.
"I couldn't stay at the party. Everyone kept staring at me. Imagine collapsing in front of everyone because of the pain from the broken bond! Then, everyone knew I was fated to someone so low-class! And to make it worse, she got a perfect 5.0 GPA! First class honors, Dad!"
His chest heaved as he spoke, his frustration building.
"This is unbelievable!" one person in the room spat, clearly disapproving.
"She must face judgment! What an insult to you, High Councilor!" another voice barked.
Edward smiled to himself, pleased that these were the reactions he had hoped for.
"A commoner!" Williams shouted, slamming his fist against the desk.
"Who does she think she is? If it weren't for that worthless scholarship, she'd never even get close to Ebonvale University!" the High Councilor raged.
"Calm down, Honorable," one person said, trying to soothe him. "She's too insignificant to be causing you this much trouble."
"Other commoners get mated to our pack, and they just accept their place humbly. She will learn the hard way," another added.
Edward grinned inwardly. He couldn't wait to see how far Lucille's perfect GPA would take her when everyone turned against her.
Williams' face twisted with anger. "And she did it in front of others! This could ruin my political career!" he roared again.
"It won't affect it. We're fully behind you. You'll keep your seat next year. No commoner or Executive will stand in our way," one man spat with certainty.
"Sign the order to arrest her immediately, Honourable!" the man added, furious.
The room fell silent. After a long pause, Williams finally turned his gaze to his son, Edward.
"She will pay for the embarrassment she caused you and our family. Even with her First Class honors, she will remain nothing. You can leave now."
Bowing respectfully, Edward left the meeting room, feeling a sense of relief. The council's decisions had lifted his spirits.
In the sitting room, his mother was pacing, clearly anxious.
"How could you be so reckless?" Maude Jones scolded him the moment she saw him reenter tbe sitting room.
"That's disrespectful, Edward. Interrupting your father's meeting! Didn't I teach you better?" she shouted.
"I'm sorry, Mom, but it was urgent. Dad's not angry," Edward replied calmly.
Maude fixed him with a hard stare before sighing in relief. "What happened?" she asked, her tone much softer now.
"That girl broke our mate bond in public," Edward spat, his anger bubbling up again.
Maude's face twisted in shock. "What?!"
"That's why I had to speak with Dad. Don't worry, he and the council will handle it," Edward said, then turned and walked out of the room.
"Aren't you staying over?" Maude shrieked after him, but the only response was the sound of the door slamming shut.
"She rejected my son? How dare she!" Maude muttered angrily to herself.
"She will pay for this, dearly!" she grumbled, her fury rising. She collapsed back onto the sofa, seething.