Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO - Chapter 481

Chapter 481: You quit being my mother long ago.
The hall froze.

Everyone halted to listen intently, as if trying their best not to miss even a single detail.

“She is our leader,” Philip continued, “who has not just guided our company but us with precision and vision for the last five years, choosing to remain behind the scenes until now. Tonight, she stands here not just as a name … but as the strength behind Davies Internationals.”

If anyone had doubts before, they were all shattered now.

With just a few words, Philip had confirmed Arwen’s identity to everyone, leaving no room for speculation.

The room erupted in quiet gasps, murmurs, applause —and disbelief.

But more than anyone, Catrin was the most shaken. Her ears rang, her thoughts tangled into a mess of disbelief and anger.

Five years?

Arwen had been working at Davies Internationals for five years?

How was that even possible?

She hadn’t known which only meant —Arwen had done all of this … behind her back.

How dare she?

“Mrs. Quinn!”

A soft voice snapped her out of her daze. Catrin turned to see a woman approaching, elegantly dressed, her expression glowing with admiration.

“You must be really proud today,” the woman said, her smile warm as her gaze shifted to Arwen at a distance, talking to notable figures of their society with a practiced ease. “Your daughter is so capable. Not only is she beautiful, but she has achieved the kind of success most men only dream of. You must have raised her well.”

Catrin’s fingers clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She forced herself to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Proud? Heh!

She wanted to scoff.

She would have been proud —if Arwen had walked the path, she had so carefully prepared for her.

She would have been proud if her daughter had been obedient. Respectful. Grateful.

She would have been proud if Arwen hadn’t gone behind her back, overstepped her bounds, and rebelled.

Like the day she ended her engagement with Ryan without her consent.

Like the day she walked out of the family —severing ties without looking back.

And now today —standing in the very place she never belonged, wearing the power like it was made for her.

Why?

Why was Arwen so intent on defying her?

Catrin’s jaw tightened without realizing, her fury simmering just beneath the surface.

“Mrs. Quinn?” the woman asked again, concern lacing her voice now.

Catrin turned to look at her with thinly veiled displeasure. “Kindly excuse me,” she said curtly, before turning and walking away, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Meanwhile, after Philip’s announcement, the formal introductions concluded, and the event transitioned into a more casual atmosphere.

Soft music played in the background. Servers glided between the guests with glasses of champagne and canapés.

Arwen moved gracefully through the hall, posed and composed. Her expression was calm, and her aura unshakable.

A few guests came to greet her personally —investors, board members, and dignitaries —each offering congratulations and compliments. While some partners approached her with polite interest, clearly reevaluating her now that the truth was known.

No matter who it was, Arwen’s smile never faltered. She greeted them all with just the needed grace and professionalism —neither too cold nor too warm.

Until she saw a familiar face approaching.

Her smile dimmed —not out of nervousness, but from a quiet shift in her composure.

Catrin Quinn.

Just her look revealed it all. She wasn’t happy, just as Arwen had expected her not to be.

Arwen felt a tinge of disappointment in her heart — a disappointment that she felt at herself. How did she never realize that no matter what she did, her mother wouldn’t feel satisfied?

If she had realized it earlier, then she would have saved herself from a fraction of suffering.

Seeing her walking closer, Arwen turned to look at the people she was standing with and politely said, “Please excuse me. I have to check on something.”

The group nodded, and she turned to leave.

However, she had barely taken a few steps when Catrin’s voice came, asking her to stop.

“Arwen, wait there,” Catrin roared quietly, but the edge was clear in her tone.

Arwen so wanted to ignore. But at the same time, she didn’t want to give her the importance. If she had walked away, ignoring her … it would have given Catrin Quinn a satisfaction of the possibility that she ignored because she was guilty.

But since Arwen wasn’t, why should she give her the satisfaction.

With her thoughts clear, she turned to face her, matching her gaze with casual indifference.

“Mrs. Quinn, is there anything that I can help you with?”

“Heh!” Catrin scoffed, no longer caring about being heard. They were at the corner, and she was sure that even if she yelled on this side of the hall, no one would be able to hear. “Is that how you are going to talk to your mom now?”

Arwen raised a brow at her as if quite amused by what she said.

“Wait, what?” she asked before smiling with clear amusement in her tone. “I think you have mistaken something, Mrs. Quinn. We don’t share any bond that needs me to follow any kind of particular manner with you.”

“Arwen!” Catrin warned, nearing the edge of her patience. “I am your mother. Have you forgotten it?”

Arwen maintained her composure as she shook her head. “I haven’t forgotten it, but it seems you have forgotten. I have long severed every familial tie with you. You quit being my mother long ago, and a few months back, even I accepted it officially.”

“You —”

“Mrs. Quinn, I think if there is any misconception on your part, you try to clarify it on your own. I don’t have time to entertain you right now. I have other things to do.”

With that, Arwen tried to turn away, but Catrin grabbed her arm to hold her back.

“Arwen, you think you can walk out without explaining it to me?”