Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Just as Cyrus was about to speak with an icy gaze in his eyes, Mandy went
ahead with a smile. "Really? I shall ask Mayor Hodgson about this. Does he not see me as a Lovelace, or do you not take me as a Lovelace?"
Orlander, who was mentioned without warning, coughed after choking on his wine.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter whether or not I'm a Lovelace." Mandy cast an unreadable look at Orlander. "After all, I'm here with my son, representing the Taylor family. Mayor Hodgson, Minnie, you'll welcome us, won't you?"
"Ah! It's our mistake." Minnie hurriedly approached them with an apologetic smile to break the tension. "We thought you'd attend the event with Joseph since you are family. We did not think it through. We'll be more careful next time!"
Mandy replied coldly, "I'm no longer a Lovelace after I married Winston Taylor. If you are sending out invitations, please address them to the Taylor family of Belbanks."
"Mandy, that's enough." Joseph took a step toward her. He lowered his voice. "Are you trying to argue with me in front of everyone here?"
"You don't deserve my time." Looking away, she snickered. "I wouldn't have wasted time talking to you or even taking a look at you had you not come up to irk me.
"Joseph Lovelace, do you understand that the person I hate the most in the family isn't Dad, who kicked me out? I hate you the most because you keep badmouthing Winston in front of Dad!"
Lips twitching, Joseph struggled to catch a breath. His face seemed to sting in pain from the memory of being slapped by Mandy the last time.
Under his leadership, the Lovelaces' business had grown and expanded. Despite his efforts and his attempt at perfecting his image, Mandy refused to take one more look at him. All she cared about was Winston Taylor, who had never treated her wrong.
After the minor hiccup, the social dancing kicked off in the Hodgson's living room. The dance was an opportunity Orlander and Minnie had created for Freddy and Lauren to mingle.
When the music filled the air, the guests found their dance partners and started waltzing in the middle of the spacious dance floor.
As Orlander and Javier chatted away, Mandy approached them in steady footsteps. She smiled and asked, "Mayor Hodgson, sorry to interrupt. I need to have a private talk with you. Are you free now?"
Javier tightened his grasp on the wine glass after Mandy completely disregarded him.
Knowing how difficult Mandy could be, Orlander immediately rose from his seat as he couldn't afford to snub her. "Sure. Mrs. Taylor, please come with me to the guest lounge."
As Mandy was leaving, she turned around and smirked at Javier. The act was akin to a slap to his face.
Sitting in the guest lounge, Orlander made his maid serve some high-grade tea. Smiling warmly at Mandy, he wondered, "Mrs. Taylor, may I know what brought you here?"
She sipped on the tea gracefully. "I heard that Freddy is about to get engaged to Lauren."
Orlander perked up at the mention of the topic. "That's right! Both our families have picked out the date for it. It'll be on the 15th of next month!"
"Yeah. That sounds like a good date. Sadly, your son is not destined to be with Lauren."
Orlander was caught off guard. "Mrs. Taylor, what do you mean?"