"Elaine." Elaine's cold attitude toward Terry surprised Rebecca. She gently tugged her daughter's arm. Even if she didn't like Terry and wanted to end the engagement, there was no need to be so indifferent. The two families had been close for generations. Even if they couldn't be husband and wife, Elaine should at least show some respect. After all, Terry was five years older than her—it wouldn't hurt to respect him a little. Leon, noticing Terry's silence, added quickly, "Terry, don't take it to heart. Elaine's always been straightforward." Though his words seemed apologetic, there wasn't the slightest hint of reproach in his tone toward Elaine. Terry's gaze lingered on Elaine, a faint smile flickering in his eyes. "I don't mind. I think it's rather cute."Everyone present was speechless. Elaine's expression darkened as her irritation boiled over. "Cute? Is there something wrong with your brain?" What a scoundrel! She had seen enough of his pretentious facade in her past life—one face for the public and another behind closed doors. It disgusted her. "Elaine, mind your manners," Leon gently scolded, his tone more indulgent than harsh. "Elaine." Rebecca grabbed her daughter's arm and gave her a small shake, her voice filled with concern. Why did it seem like Elaine bore a grudge against Terry? Could there have been some prior conflict between them? "Elaine, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Terry?" Suppressing her anger, Elaine shook her head. "Mom, there's no misunderstanding. I just purely, thoroughly dislike him."Dislike? The faint amusement in Terry's eyes vanished entirely. It seemed the situation was far more complicated than he had initially thought. Terry glanced at Leon and Rebecca. "Leon, Rebecca, may I have a private word with Elaine?" "Of course," Elaine answered before her parents could, standing up with no hesitation, as though she couldn't wait to get this over with. Seeing Elaine's hostile attitude toward Terry, so determined to call off the engagement, Alora, who had been quietly chuckling, stood up nervously and said, "No way!" A private talk? How could that happen? A man and a woman alone together—what if something happened? Absolutely not!But no one paid her any attention. Elaine took a step toward the stairs and turned back to Terry. "Follow me." She didn't want to argue with him in front of her parents. Just one sharp sentence from her earlier had already startled them. "No!" Alora cried out. "Elaine, aren't you trying to break off the engagement? Why would you want to be alone with Terry? What's your angle?" She knew shouting like this made her intentions far too obvious, but she couldn't let them be alone together. Elaine turned and fixed her with an icy glare. "Say one more word, and I just might change my mind." Alora froze, her lips clamping shut instantly. No! If Elaine really changed her mind, things would become much more complicated. Terry was already unwilling to call off the engagement. If Elaine decided to go along with it, what would become of her? Reluctantly, Alora took a step back, biting her lip in frustration. Terry took a small, elegantly wrapped gift bag from Ryan and followed Elaine upstairs. Ryan wisely stayed behind. As the two disappeared up the stairs, Rebecca sighed softly. "Elaine seems to have a lot of animosity toward Terry. I wonder what's going on." If Elaine had simply fallen out of love with him, her reaction wouldn't be this extreme. "Well," a voice interjected, "that's a question for Ms. Alora."