Chapter 2 The Yale Family's Betrothal-Why Mandy's Name? Jade glared at Mandy, her patience worn thin. She stormed over and raised her hand high, ready to slap her hard. Mandy caught it mid-air, steady and firm, gritting her teeth. This was her mother-quick to believe gossip, quick to raise a hand. She had never shown an ounce of care for their blood bond. In the next second, Mandy shoved her forcefully. Jade stumbled backward, knocking into the teacups on the coffee table. With a crisp shatter, porcelain shards scattered across the floor. Jade herself hit her forehead, and a nasty bruise bloomed instantly. Yvonne had just been watching with a gleeful smirk, but the moment she saw her mother fall, she gasped in horror. "Mom!" She rushed to Jade's side, supporting her while pouring oil on the fire. "Mandy, how could you lay hands on Mom? That's completely unfilial! Look what you've done-Mom's hurt because of you!" Sally chimed in as well. "Mandy, it was one thing to hit me-but how could you hit your own mother? Madam, you really raised her for nothing. Oh, what a curse it is to have such a daughter..." Mandy stood coldly, eyes downcast, then turned to leave. "Mandy, what do you think you're doing?" A deep male voice rang out from the door. A composed, commanding man stepped in, exuding authority and mystery. John Tate had walked in just in time to witness Mandy push Jade. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Sally darted over to him, eager to make sure he saw the handprint on her face. "Sir, Madam Jade just asked Mandy to cook, and she refused. She even tried to leave. When I tried to stop her, she hit me..." She sniffled dramatically, dabbing at her eyes with fake tears. "And then when Madam tried to discipline her, Mandy struck her too! Madam's forehead is injured!" John moved quickly to check Jade's forehead. The bruise was real. Jade glared resentfully at Mandy, her voice trembling with accusation. "Honey, all these years later, this jinx is still a curse on me. We should've never brought her back." John's expression darkened, his gaze toward Mandy full of unspoken disappointment. Yvonne giggled quietly behind her hand, then spoke up to fan the flames. "Mandy, if you were angry, you could've taken it out on me. Why hurt Mom? It's my fault-I should've stopped you. Then Mom wouldn't have gotten hurt. Mom, are you okay?" Yvonne's sweetness only made Mandy look worse by comparison. John marched over and scolded her loudly. "Have you no respect for this family? No respect for your elders?" Respect? She almost laughed. These so-called parents-who listened to lies, discarded their own child, treated her like a servant, and marched her to her death-were now asking for respect? Were they even worthy of being called parents? In her last life, they gave her life, and she repaid them with her death. They were even. In this life, she owed them nothing. With a clear heart and calm voice, Mandy spoke word by word. "You don't want me, and I don't want parents like you. Let's cut ties." "Mandy, don't you dare!" John roared, his face contorted with rage. Mandy simply smiled and turned to leave. John shouted after her with one last threat. "If you walk out of this house, you are no longer part of the Tate family!" Jade added coldly, "Let her go. That jinx isn't worth keeping. We still have Yvonne. Nothing in this family will change without Mandy." John hesitated, then let out a long sigh. He didn't stop her. If not for the situation half a year ago, he never would have brought Mandy back. At that time, Mandy worked tirelessly around the house. He had started to see her differently. But now, her true colors had come out. There was no point keeping her. Not a minute later, Mandy returned-this time with two men behind her. The man in front was young, tall, and strikingly handsome. He looked to be in his twenties, with an air of nobility and an overwhelming presence. Beside him stood a middle-aged butler who also carried himself with refinement. He stayed respectfully close, head slightly bowed. Jade saw the well-dressed guests and, out of habit, barked at Mandy. "Mandy, hurry up and serve Mr. Austin and Mr. Grant some tea." Mandy had returned precisely because of these two men. Even if Jade hadn't said anything, she was already planning to serve the tea herself. She brewed two cups of fine tea with practiced ease and placed them before Austin Yale and Grant. Grant nodded politely. "Thank you, Ms. Mandy." Austin sat silently, casting a cool glance at Mandy. Something about her felt unfamiliar, unsettling. Looking at the tea, he thought, She really is a pushover. After a sip, he finally spoke. "We're here today to deliver the engagement papers and gifts." Grant took out two red booklets from inside his coat. The entire Tate family lit up with smiles. Yvonne, in particular, was beaming brighter than a spring flower. Jade was all but grinning from ear to ear. She immediately turned to Mandy. "Mandy, go make lunch-and do it well." Mandy let out a cold laugh and plopped herself down on the couch. "Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you?" Her tone was pure defiance. "You-!" Everyone in the family glared at Mandy, but with Austin present, they held their tongues. Jade gave a stiff smile. "Mandy is a little unruly. I apologize, Mr. Austin. I was foolish to expect otherwise. I'll have Savory Pavilion deliver something right away." She exchanged looks with Sally. Austin glanced briefly at Mandy. "Forget it. I have other business to attend to. Don't trouble yourselves." As soon as he finished, Grant stepped forward and placed the engagement documents and invitation in Mandy's hands. "Ms. Mandy, please review the engagement documents and the list of gifts. There were so many that Mr. Austin bought a villa just to store them. You're welcome to view them anytime." The entire Tate family froze. Was Grant blind? John quickly stepped in. "Grant, you've got the wrong girl. That's Mandy. Yvonne is right here." He motioned toward the demure girl beside him. Yvonne's expression shifted, though she forced a smile. Sally snapped, "Mandy! Hand those papers to Ms. Yvonne at once. How shameless can you be?" Mandy gave a faint smile, said nothing, and held out the engagement documents. Yvonne took them proudly-only for her eyes to widen in shock as she read. The names printed on the documents were as clear as day: Austin Yale and Mandy Tate. She stared at it again and again, but it never changed. Her face turned pale. "Austin... this has to be a mistake. I'm Yvonne. Why does it say Mandy's name?"