Demon CEO's Hidden Love: Mr Grayson Stole Me From My Abusive Husband-Chapter 195: An Engagement Dinner

*Grayson Mansion*

Mallory stared at herself in the mirror for the umpteenth time, the woman dressed in a body hug black dress, and heavy makeup did not look like her. She lowered her gaze to the ring sitting on her finger, it’s weight made her lip twitch whenever she raised her hand.

"Miss, you can’t come downstairs with your hair in curls, master Grayson will not allow it." A maid said to her, holding a straightener in one hand, and a hot comb in the other.

Mallory possessively reached for the sides of her head. "Must I?" she frowned, her curly ginger was the only part of her she liked. Her pale skin and ordinary features did not stand out, but her hair did.

The hair her aunt would dedicate hours to untangling and brushing out.

The maid let out a sigh, "Yes Miss, it might be your engagement dinner, but master Grayson is still the patron of the family. His word is the law here."

Mallory shook her head, "I’m sorry but I’d rather take my chances explaining to him."

The maid bit back a scoff, "Master Grayson is not one to mess with, I advise you act accordingly and learn the ways of the family you’re marrying into."

She plugged the straightener, "Your mother-in-law gave me strict orders to make sure you’re readied accordingly."

Mallory made a face, "It’s my engagement night, won’t grandfather grant me one measly request?"

Her question was answered by Rosalind who barged in unexpectedly. "I’m sorry to tell you this but father-in-law wouldn’t bar an eye, not even for you."

She turned to the maid Wendy, "You’re excused."

"Yes ma’am." Wendy said, before quietly leaving the room.

To Mallory she lectured, "You must know by now that all eyes are glued to you. Not only did father-in-law accept you, you are also his first granddaughter in law, you must work hard to get into his good graces."

Mallory watched Rosalind from the mirror, the mother-in-law she had no fancy for.

"I’m getting married to Matthew, not his grandfather."

Rosalind narrowed her eyes, "For reasons none of us have been able to trace."

Her words made Mallory straighten her back, to the family it was clear why Matthew was marrying her, but her intentions hadn’t been leaked yet.

Diverting the conversation she chimed, "And isn’t Brooke the first grand daughter in law?"

Rosalind furled her lips into a deep frown, "I don’t want you mentioning that name in front of me ever, am I understood? That woman was nothing than a jinx!" she reached for the hair straightener, but Mallory held her wrist.

"A jinx? Then what would that make me?" Mallory retorted, "Just a while back my parents came to you with a marriage proposal, but you outright refused to it. Now that having me is working to your advantage, you wish to just bury the hatchet and let bygones be bygones?" she tightened her grip on her hand.

Rosalind’s eyes went round from shock. ’She’s not as gullible as I expected? She’s also more feisty than Brooke, can I really handle this one?’

As though reading her thoughts, Mallory stood up and looked her straight in the eyes. "This marriage is between me and Matthew, no outsiders are allowed to dictate what it is I can or cannot do. I hope you can understand where I draw the line mother-in-law." She said, then released her wrist.

Rubbing her wrists, Rosalind hissed, "You have no shame! Don’t think I’ll just let you have your way. Just you wait and see where acting cocky will get you! " She said before leaving the room.

After she left, some minutes after, a maid came in to announce that it was time for her to go downstairs.

"Where is Matthew?" Mallory whispered softly to the maid as the elevator descended.

The woman bowed her head, "Young master Grayson is with his friends outside sharing a drink." freewёbnoνel.com

Mallory widened her eyes, "Matthew is drinking?!" And on the night of their engagement dinner?

The maid heaved a sigh of relief when the elevator reached the grand floor and they had to step out to the sea of guests.

"Miss this way, the matron would like to see you first." She announced, gesturing Mallory over to Sophia.

Stepping out of the elevator, all eyes naturally fell to the woman in curly hair, waltzing into the dinner unapologetically.

From where she stood, Mallory sighted Sophia and the disapproving look on her face, she made a move to approach her, but she was stopped by a sudden tug on her wrist.

She turned around to see who it was, but was met by a splash of red wine to her face!

The melody of the live orchestra and the chatter from every corner of the room came to a sudden stop.

"Oh dear."

"What happened?"

"What a scene..."

Mallory’s heart skipped a beat as indiscriminate murmuring tuned in. However her attention was divided when the woman dressed in a red gown reached for a waiter’s tray and splashed another douse of wine on her!

"You bitch! What did you do to steal my boyfriend from me?!" the woman cursed in a loud voice, garnering stares from all angles.

Mallory wiped the liquid off her face, desperate to avoid it getting in her eyes.

Mallory’s indifference to her outburst caused the woman to reach forward and grab her by the hair!

"You fucking bitch! I asked you a question! How dare you act so shameless?!" she screamed, pulling hard on Mallory’s hair!

"Matthew is my boyfriend! Stay away from him!"

Swiftly, the security details swung into the action and separated the two, however, the intruder refused to let go, until she had strands of Mallory’s hair in her hands.

Instinctively, Mallory reached for her head, but when she brought her palm to her line of sight, the red hue of blood on her hands sent her into a panic.

"Blood." she gasped as her vision turned blurry and her consciousness slowly escaped her...