Madam Gao's Ultimatum

Gao Rouyun's head swiveled, and with wide eyes, she shot up from her seat, exclaiming, "Oh my God, you're here!" The room filled with a palpable excitement as Gao Rouyun enveloped Eliza in a warm and heartfelt hug. Onlookers, witnessing this reunion, exchanged glances, their faces reflecting the shared uninterested expressions.

"I thought I would never see you again," Gao Rouyun added, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and joy.

Eliza then whispered into her mother's ear, " Is brother Lucian not coming?"

Gao Rouyun expression solemned a bit as she whispered, " He said he is busy."

Eliza with a slight frown, gently pulling away from the embrace, affectionately patted Gao Rouyun's shoulders, "Mom, you're overreacting. You know this place has always been, and will always be, my home." Gao Rouyun chuckled in response, "Anyway, welcome home, dear. I missed you."

Both acted like they didn't talk about Lucian.

"I missed you too, Mom," Eliza replied, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

Eliza glanced at her father and smiled brightly and said, " Father."

Gao Bailong smiled briefly at her and said, " I'm glad to see you again you look well."

Eliza smile strained and nodded as she thought, ' He is the same as ever, always rigid. '

Seizing the moment to introduce her partner, Eliza extended a hand towards Mason, announcing to the gathering, "Greetings, everyone. It's been a long time. This is Mason He, the man I want to marry." Mason, with a nod and a polite greeting, acknowledged the assembly with grace.

Eliza looked at Madam Gao and said, " Grandma, please give us your blessings and permission to get married."

Gao Rouyun, beaming with pride, added, "Yes, mother, This man right here is the owner of AZ Couture. The union between both our company and his would be beneficial, don't you think? "

Gao Bailong let out a deep sigh, his gaze drifting away slightly.

Liu ShiShi, with a stylish glare, observed the unfolding events, ' She's already making her first move.' she thought as her eyes briefly locked onto Gao Rouyun, who gave her a triumphant smirk, making Liu ShiShi roll her eyes and she shifted her attention elsewhere.

Ronan and Liu Qianli exchanged subtle glances, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Their collective focus settled on Mason, curious about him.

Meanwhile, Javin, indifferent to the familial intricacies, remained in his own world, seemingly unconcerned about the developments around him.

Madam Gao, fixing her gaze on Mason, maintained an unreadable expression as she addressed Gao Rouyun, "The family isn't complete; everyone isn't here, and you both know that."

Gao Rouyun, sensing a potential reference to Hailey, furrowed her brows, thoughts racing, 'Is she talking about Hailey? God forbid I will ever contact that illegitimate child.' Despite her internal conflict, she managed a smile and responded, "I contacted her mother, but she refused to come. Y'all know how Hailey is... sometimes I wonder who would marry her with that attitude of hers."

Shaking her head, Gao Rouyun chuckled slightly.

Madam Gao fixed her penetrating gaze upon Gao Rouyun, a blank expression masking her gaze as she uttered, "If that's the case, then you may proceed with the marriage." The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, leaving everyone in the room stunned. However, Gao Rouyun and Eliza couldn't conceal a sly smile.

Rising from her seat, Madam Gao added , "But count me out of the people in the guest list. I will not attend if Hailey is not attending."

The room, initially quiet with shock, now buzzed with a mix of murmurs and exchanged glances. Gao Rouyun and Eliza's eyes widened in response to this unexpected condition, while Liu ShiShi, seizing the opportunity, smirked and chuckled in a mocking manner which made Gao Rouyun glare at her.

Gao Rouyun, attempting to make sense of the situation, looked at Madam Gao with a furrowed brow and questioned, "What do you mean, Mother?"

Madam Gao met their gaze and calmly asserted, "I'm not attending the wedding." Her eyes briefly flickered toward Gao Bailong, who looked at her as well and without further explanation, she looked away, beginning to walk away.

Eliza and Gao Rouyun shared a knowing look, and Eliza's face beamed with a radiant smile. "I will try convincing Hailey myself then," she declared with determination, grabbing Mason's shoulder and linking arms with him.

Madam Gao came to an abrupt halt, turning around to acknowledge Eliza's decision. "Okay, you do that," she conceded, her gaze shifting away from Eliza as she walked off.

Eliza, observing Madam Gao's departure, furrowed her eyebrows.

In the aftermath of Madam Gao's exit, a hushed silence settled over the remaining family members. Eliza thought, ' Hailey this! Hailey that! This old hag only cares about Hailey. It's sickening.'

Taking charge, Eliza decisively led Mason out of the mansion, traversing through the garden until they reached a tranquil flower bed behind the house. There, she paused, locking eyes with Mason for a few seconds. "You will have to invite Hailey," she asserted.

Mason's brows furrowed slightly, poised to respond, but Eliza interjected, "Our wedding invitation card will be ready in three days' time. Once it's prepared, you will give it to her."

Mason furrowed his brow the more, giving Eliza a puzzled look. "You want me to invite Hailey?" he questioned, his confusion evident in his voice.

Eliza, maintaining her composure, smiled and responded, "Yes. Why are you so worked up?"

"Why am I...? Are you seriously asking me that question right now?" Mason exclaimed, the tension of their recent breakup still palpable.

Eliza laughed, a touch of mischief in her eyes, "That's exactly why. You see, if I give her the invite, it won't hurt her as much as when you give her the invite."

Closing the physical gap between them, Eliza stepped closer to Mason, her voice lowering to a whisper. "I told you about what she did to me in the past, right? How she made my life a living hell in this very same mansion and took everything from me. She deserves this much despair more than anyone, don't you think?"

Mason, wide-eyed and unbelieving, didn't respond as Eliza continued. A small tear slipped from her eye, and she quickly wiped it away. "You will do this, right? Because for our relationship to be intact, we have to break Hailey completely," she whispered.

With that, Eliza leaned in, kissing Mason's lips lightly and slowly, she moved away.

She drew in a deep breath, her eyes locking onto his, and declared, "I love you." A gentle smile graced her lips as she continued, "I love you, and that's what matters most in this world, right?" With an affectionate touch, she placed both her hands on Mason's shoulders, gazing at him with love radiating from her eyes.

Mason's eyes fluttered open, captivated by the sincerity in Eliza's expression. His mesmerized gaze met hers as he nodded his head in response to her words, and a wide smile spread across her face. Internally, Eliza encouraged herself, 'Now say it... say that you will help me.'

"I love you too, Eliza, and I will do it... I will give her our wedding invitation," Mason responded, his words carrying a commitment that resonated in the air.

Eliza's happiness reflected in her beaming smile as she nodded approvingly. "Good," she exclaimed.