Joyce's expression wavered, and she was about to speak.
Suddenly, Grayson, who had been silent, coughed violently, pale against the chair, his gaze toward Joyce filled with guilt.
"Joyce, it's all my fault. If I hadn't had the car accident, you wouldn't have argued with Colten over a pet snake."
I let out a cold laugh.
"Grayson, are you hiding behind a woman to stir trouble? Are you Joyce's kept boy?"
Before Grayson could respond, Joyce seemed to hit a nerve and stood up suddenly.
"Colten, what do you mean by that?
"I won't allow you to insult Grayson. Apologize to him!"
She stood protectively in front of Grayson, pointing a finger at me, glaring.
Everyone else in the room looked at me with disapproval, silently forcing me to back down.
I suddenly felt exhausted.
This was my home, yet I ended up feeling like an outsider, threatened by everyone.
Seeing my dark expression, Mollie grabbed Joyce's arm, whispering.
"Joyce, maybe it's better to let this go. After all, you were in the wrong…"
Joyce shrugged off her hand, sneering at me.
"It's just a pet snake. I did nothing wrong!
"Besides, Colten is nothing but a like dog I raised. How dare he get mad at me?"
Joyce knew exactly that wasn't an ordinary pet snake. It represented my pain and longing after I lost my father, holding a profound meaning for me.
Yet, to vent her anger, she deliberately belittled it, hurting me so badly.
Sadness and rage washed over me.
I couldn't hold back any longer and slapped Joyce.
"Colten! How dare you hit me!"
Joyce covered her reddened cheek, staring at me in disbelief.
I smirked coldly, pulling out the wedding invitation in front of everyone and tearing it to pieces.
"I don't just want to hit you. I'm also calling off this engagement!
"Sorry, I'm a normal man, and I don't want to marry a woman like you!"
After Joyce belittled the little black snake and said I was just like her pet dog, I looked at her with eyes that no longer held the same tolerance and affection.
My love was meant for a woman who deserved it.
I coldly stared at her and the group of friends she had brought along.
"This is my home. Please leave now."
Joyce was taken aback, her eyes wide with shock as a sharp voice squeezed out from her throat.
"Colten, what do you mean by that?"
"I mean for you all to get lost."
I didn't bother looking at her as I picked up the plate full of snake flesh.