Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO - Chapter 482

Chapter 482: I am proud of you.
Catrin was pissed in the worst way possible.

And Arwen’s indifferent attitude only intensified her fury.

“Business is not where you can play, Arwen. What were you thinking, going behind my back and working at Davies Internationals?” she snapped, yanking Arwen’s arms roughly.

Arwen winced —not just from the physical pain, but from the deep, familiar ache of disappointment.

Her fingers curled into fists as she stared at the woman who should have supported her, who should have stood beside her no matter what … but never did.

Maybe all mothers aren’t the same in the world.

Some love unconditionally …

Some sacrifice everything for their children.

And then there are exceptions like Catrin —who loved having control, authority, and herself over everything else.

Arwen wanted to blame her fate for making her fall into the hands of the mother who never truly loved her as a mother should.

“Why do you have to rebel against me?” Catrin demanded, her fury sharpening with every word. “I am your mother! Can’t you trust my plans for you?”

Her grip twisted tighter around Arwen’s arm, as if she could physically force her daughter back into submission.

But she failed to see that her twist didn’t make Arwen struggle. Rather, her gaze only grew colder.

“I have had enough of your rebellious nature,” Catrin hissed. “Now, it’s time for you to understand one thing.” She leaned in, enunciating every word. “You. Will. Quit. It.”

Her eyes bored into Arwen’s, attempting to intimidate her. But her efforts fell flat. Arwen didn’t even blink.

When Catrin still received no response, her grip tightened again as she ground out through gritted teeth. “Do you hear me? Go and sign the resignation now. Step down from your position immediately. Davies Internationals is not your place. You are not meant for it.”

“Then, are you?”

Finally, Arwen’s cold voice cut through the air like ice.

Catrin froze.

With a sharp tug, Arwen wrenched her arm free and took a step back, her cold gaze meeting her mother’s with a quiet steel.

“Are you meant for it?” she repeated, her voice calm but laced with quiet disdain. “Given you are still attending the party as a guest should wake you now. Whether Davies Internationals is my playground or not, it doesn’t matter. But it’s definitely not your place that I can assure you.”

Davies International has always been the most aching nerve for Catrin. So, when she heard Arwen taunting her with it, she lost her composure.

“Arwen, how dare you?”

However, to her temper, Arwen didn’t even flinch. She simply folded her hands, unbothered.

“How dare I?” she echoed with a soft chuckle. “Since when does it take daring to speak the truth, Mrs. Quinn? I am simply stating what you have chosen to ignore for years. It would do you well to finally see it.”

With that, she didn’t waste another word. Raising her hand just a little, she gestured a server to come forward. “Attend to Mrs. Quinn,” she said, adding, “She is our guest here. And as the host, I can’t bear to see a guest unattended.”

Then, with a fleeting glance at her mother, Arwen walked away.

Catrin watched her leave and couldn’t help grit.

This —this was exactly what she hated in Arwen. That quiet defiance. That intimidating gaze. She had believed she had subdued her once. But now she realized —it was an innate trait. One that had never left Arwen’s bones —even after years.

Why was her daughter born like this?

If she had been anywhere else, she would have vented her rage. But here … in this hall, with so many eyes watching … she could only swallow it.

On the other hand, Arwen stepped back into the hall, greeting and mingling with the guests.

Although a beautiful smile adorned her face, it was just a mask she was weakening to present the best exterior.

On inside … she was dying to breathe.

She might have come strong in front of her mother, but only she knew how difficult was it for her to act so indifferently with her. Not because she longed to be close to her —but because she wanted Catrin to see.

To see all wrongs, she had committed and never acknowledged.

Seeing her act so casually —as if nothing has ever happened —made Arwen want to sit her down and lay bare every wound, every scare she had caused.

But doing so would only make her look weak.

And, in front of Catrin Quinn, she no longer wants to appear weak.

Not anymore.

“Princess!”

Suddenly, a gently voice pulled Arwen out of her daze.

She blinked, looking at the people standing with her. Then she followed their gaze and found Idris standing not far away —watching her with the same soft eyes that made her feel guilty for treating him indifferently.

He didn’t treat her right, but she couldn’t say he treated her wrong.

He wasn’t the father she needed, but over the years, she has accepted him the way he was as her father.

He hadn’t hurt her like Catrin, but he hadn’t protected her either.

Still … blaming him now for the expectations she never voiced felt unfair.

Would he have treated her differently if she had told him what she needed?

Maybe …

“I am still waiting to congratulate you. Will you allow me to?” His said, looking at the guests who stood around Arwen.

His words held a quiet depth —not loud, not dramatic —but real.

Most wouldn’t notice it.

To the others, it sounded like a teasing father celebrating his daughter’s success. They exchanged gazes before looking at him with an understanding smile.

“How could we?” one of the guests joked. “On a daughter’s success, of course the first right to cherish belongs to her father. We wouldn’t dare intercept, Mr. Quinn. Kindly excuse us.”

With that, they all gave a nod before politely stepping away, leaving Arwen alone with Idris.

Idris offered them a grateful smile before approaching his daughter with hesitant steps.

Looking at her, he smiled softly. “Congratulations, princess. I just came to say … I am proud of you.”