Lauren Hayes Zoey Mercer NovelShattered Gift, Broken Engagement

I had just won the Hawthorne Scientific Laureate on the international stage when my father called me back home.

Bring the betrothal gifts to the Hayes family. That childhood engagement should finally be fulfilled.

Afraid of getting stuck in traffic, I took my modified motorcycle, carried the national heritage porcelain obtained through generations of the Keane family's military merits, and headed toward their house.

Just as I arrived at the community gate, a Porsche suddenly cut across the lane, nearly knocking me over.

A heavily made-up woman, Zoey Mercer, stepped out of the car, raised one sharp high heel, and kicked the top box off my motorcycle.

"You rode this junk motorcycle yet dared block my way? If you dent my car, your whole family won't be able to afford the compensation!"

My heart sank. I quickly opened the case, only to see the entire box of celadon porcelain shattered.

"So youre just some delivery guy. Think this pile of trash is worth even one of my shoes?

"You even know whose neighborhood this is? It belongs to Kingshore's Hayes family! My best friends family developed this place! Believe it or not, I can have you thrown out right now!"

Right then, my fiancee, Lauren Hayes, called me.

"Where are you? My friend just messaged me saying theres a delivery guy causing trouble at the entrance."
Chapter 1
Hearing those words, I froze for a moment. I hadn't expected that this arrogant woman standing in front of me would actually be my fiancee's best friend, Zoey Mercer.
To be honest, I really wanted to lose my temper right then. After all, smashing the national heritage porcelain wasn't something that could be brushed aside with a simple apology.
However, remembering that the late Thomas Hayes had been my father's comrade back in the day, I thought it over and decided to give Lauren a bit of a step down.
"You should come down and take a look. It's better to talk face-to-face."
I didn't know whether I said something wrong or she misunderstood me, but her tone suddenly went cold on the other end of the line. "I'm very busy. I don't have time to meet you. If you're not here yet, just go back."
Then, she hung up right away.
I actually laughed in disbelief.
People in my industry got charged by the minute when they call me, yet she just hung up like that. Fine, then. I'd like to see just how impressive this legendary young lady of the Hayes really was.
"What, trying to call for backup?" Zoey shot me a disdainful look, lifting her chin as if I were something shed stepped on.
"Even if you summon God himself today, you're a lost cause! Once my best friend, Lauren, gets here, you and your junk motorcycle can say goodbye to Kingshore!"
I narrowed my eyes at her and asked, "Then what exactly do you want so you'll let me go?"
Maybe because I was wearing clothes with no recognizable brand and my motorcycle was unassuming, Zoey assumed I was a food delivery guy.
"How about thiscrawl your way in and deliver your food, and maybe I'll consider letting you off."
That arrogant expression of hers finally pushed me over the edge. My face went cold. "I'd advise you to pick up those porcelain shards right now and find a restoration expert. You might still stand a chance."
Destroying a national heritage porcelain was no joke.
However, Zoey burst out laughing in a fit.
"Did you hear him? This delivery guy says he wants to repair his busted bowl, and that it's a national cultural artifact!" She gave a sharp, mocking snort, then lifted her high heel and ground it down hard on the celadon shards until they were completely crushed into powder. "You think I've never seen antiques? Even if it's real, Lauren can afford it!"
Watching her dig her own grave, I sighed and silently took out my phone to record.
"What are you doing?" Suddenly, a man in a uniform rushed over and slapped my phone out of my hand.
"Who said you could record this?" He glared at me fiercely. On his chest, his badge clearly read: Property Manager.
"Yuri, finally! You're here!" Zoey clung to his arm. "This filthy delivery guy scratched my car and tried to secretly record me!"
Yuri Mercer looked me up and down, then let out a cold laugh. "Do you know whose territory this is? If you don't pay up a million today, don't even think about leaving."
"A million?" I actually laughed. "Touching up that Porsche of yours costs eight grand, max."
"In Platinum Court, whatever I say it costs is what it costs!" Yuri was full of arrogance, and Zoey looked even more pleased with herself at his side.

Chapter 2
"Do you know who Yuri is? My brother's the future son-in-law of the Hayes family. If you dare offend him, your life is over!"
My eyes narrowed.
Dad clearly said on the phone that the Hayes family had been waiting for me to return to fulfill the engagement. So why was Yuri suddenly Lauren's fiance?
Could it be that Zoey was just bragging?
Since I still hadn't met Lauren in person, I decided to keep observing for now. "As far as I know, Lauren already has an arranged marriage, yet you say you're her fiance. Do you have any proof?"
"You're just a broke loser, yet you want me to show you proof? Who do you think you are?" Yuri kicked over my motorcycle and jabbed a finger toward my face, shouting arrogantly.