***************Friday morning, which was the last day of the first week that Rose had started her new school.Rose did her normal daily routine, which was going to school with Sophia.“Sophia, when did our father say he'd be returning?" Rose suddenly asked in the car. Sophia turned to look at her older sister for a few seconds before replying. "Well, he was supposed to arrive this sunday but he later chose to come by monday because of his flight schedule. Why are you asking?” “Nothing. I just miss that's all." Rose shook her head and gave Sophia a sweet smile.Sophia wasn't focused on the smile to see how half-cold and half-dry it was. She was just focused on the fact that Rose looked more beautiful when she smiled.‘I still have three days left.’ Rose thought in her mind.‘Crazy bitch! I wish I could wipe that smile off your face.’ Sophia cursed in her mind, watching how Rose returned her gaze to the book in her hand.Finally, when they arrived at school. Rose departed with Sophia
These past three days that she had been visiting the Anderson residence, she had always met different types of security guards and none of them were willing to let her in. This time around it was another different security guard she met again with no luck. Well, she already expected little hope of seeing anyone today so she headed back to where Luthor was waiting for her.“Do you mind if I ask why you keep coming here everyday, young Miss?" Luthor asked as he drove gently on the highway.Rose glanced at Luthor for a few seconds. "Because the Anderson family are my extended relatives but I'm not sure if they know about me." She replied, not bothering to hide the truth from Luthor. After all, she knew him more than he knew himself.Luthor's eyes widened. He knew that the young miss he had been driving for the past three days was from the popular Gray family because he dropped her off in front of the Gray mansion but he didn't know that she had a relationship with the Anderson family as
"Did you hear that part when I said I came to personally drag you out?” Chris remarked as he stood up from his seat. “Only you?" He paused when he heard Alex's question. He knew what Alex meant because he was looking down at him and asking him if he was capable of dragging him away. “Damn it! How dare you look down on me?" Chris groaned and moved closer to Alex's desk. Without hesitation, he grabbed the file that Alex was going through and started making his way to the door. “If you're interested in finishing your work, come and get your file from me.” Chris said and walked out of the office. He knew he was being petty and acting like a child but he had in this case because of Alex. A dangerous and terrifying aura emitted from Alex as he watched Chris walk out of his office. Without saying anything, he stood up from his seat and grabbed his coat before also walking out of the office. He knew Chris would not let go of the file he took which was important to him unless he went with
He turned back to look at both Edward and Christopher who were also looking at him. “A few days ago, I called Alex to ask the name of the girl we met and it turns out that she is my second cousin.” He revealed. Alex frowned when he heard Nicholas. Rose was his cousin? "I'm confused. Since when did you have a female cousin?” Chris was the one that asked. "That child’s mother is the niece of my grandfather.” He told them again. "How did you know about this?” Edward asked. "My grandfather sent the image of her to my father and I saw her picture, it was on the night we met her. She is the oldest daughter of the Gray family in Los Angeles.” Nicholas replied. " The same Gray family? I thought the oldest daughter was sent abroad to study? So you mean that beautiful young girl we met a few days ago that was being chased by Rey was your second cousin?” Chris asked, completely shocked at this revelation. He didn't see this one coming at all. "No wonder, I thought you guys have similar gr
“Come on, let's get you a seat rather than standing like this." Luthor said as he led Rose towards an empty table in the restaurant. Rose nodded her head and just quietly followed Luthor until he asked her to sit down and wait for him while he went to go and find his mother. “Mom." Luthor called as he walked to where his mother was standing. Even though the business was running well, they still had no money to hire staff. So Luthor's mother was the one that managed to do the serving of the customers and when Luthor's siblings came back from work and school, they would assist her as well. “Luthor, when did you arrive?” A pretty looking middle aged woman.in her early forties turned around and looked at the person that called her which was none other than her son. She was a bit surprised to see him by this time. “I came here a while ago.” Luthor replied as he hugged his mom. If one takes a closer look at the mother and son, they would be able to tell that he inherited some of his mo
Rose, who was busy with her phone, didn't notice Luthor and Maya walking towards her until Luthor called her. “Little Rose, sorry for keeping you waiting.” Luthor called her by the nickname he gave her, making Rose raise her head up. Her eyes quickly landed on the elderly woman beside Luthor and she didn't need to be told who she was because she already took a guess. Noticing where her eyes were on, Luthor quickly gestured to his mother. " This is my mother." He told her and Rose slowly nodded her head before standing up from her seat. “It's nice to meet you Mrs. Hoult." She greeted and did a small bow to her. Maya was taken aback by the gesture and quickly waved her hand. “Oh dear. Young Miss, please someone like you shouldn't bow like that to me." She nervously said and Rose raised her head up. Rose bowing to Maya was a sign of respect and politeness, reflecting her good manners and understanding of social etiquette. Maya's reaction, however, revealed her humility, as she fe
Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, different black vans caught the attention of passerby outside the restaurant as they watched the cars and vans parked right outside the restaurant. The people in the vans and cars who were all hefty men alighted from the vehicles and strolled confidently into the restaurant. The sudden appearance of these men quickly caught the customers' attention and the peaceful tranquility instantly destroyed with some of the customers' faces turning pale. Noticing the change in atmosphere, Rose who was half way through her meal raised her head up and glanced at the restaurant entrance that was filled with some not-friendly looking men. A frown quickly appeared on her face because she could tell that these men are here to have a meal and they were here to do the opposite. She took a glance at Luthor and noticed the small frown on his face as well when he saw the men. “Wow, I thought this place was no longer operating, but thanks to a nice little birdie who to
"But I have already explained this situation to your boss and he agreed to give me some more time to pay the previous money. I know I know I'm a bit late with the payment but please try to understand my situation and I promise it will be ready by the end of this month.” Maya replied, this was not what she had discussed with Byron's Boss, who is the person she had borrowed the money from. "We did. However, because you've avoided and ignored us, our boss is no longer interested in giving you some time anymore, so he has canceled the agreement he made with you. He has ordered us to collect every previous money you're owing.” Byron lazily rubbed the inside of his ears with his pinky finger like he was bored to death as he replied to Maya. “You fucking assholes!" Amelia couldn't take it anymore and yelled furiously at them as she left Luthor's side and walked towards where her mother was standing. "Ah, Amelia darling. I didn't know you were also around. It's good to see your beautiful f
“Yes, that's true, I've only seen Sophia around but not your oldest first daughter.” Mrs. Will interfered when she too heard Mrs. Phillip’s question. She planned to ask Beatrice because she had been looking around for Rose but couldn't find her. “Thank God, I thought I was the only one who missed seeing that cute loveable child. Where did you say she is, Beatrice?” Mrs. Phillip asked again despite knowing that Beatrice hadn't replied yet. Beatrice smiled at both Mrs. Phillip and Mrs. Will. ‘You crazy two bitches. I'm already prepared for you.’ she thought to herself. She was aware that these two women were nothing but trouble, that's why she prepared herself for them since she had no choice but to invite them to her little party. “Oh, well, my poor Rose has a fever and is staying in bed. I told her not to come outside because of the cold weather and her fever could worsen.” She calmly answered. “Oh dear, is Rose okay? Why didn't you let us know beforehand." Mrs. Phillip worriedly
Once, Rose had believed that Beatrice cared for her. She had believed in her kindness, thinking that maybe Beatrice did see her as a daughter. But now, she saw through the facade. Beatrice wasn’t protecting her. She was merely covering for her son, brushing away his actions as though they were minor inconveniences. Each word of Beatrice’s “comfort” felt like salt in a wound. Still in pain and unable to walk comfortably, Rose was confined to her bed. Though Rose's leg had healed more than she portrayed it to everyone, it was also part of her plan. During her confinement, Rose constantly talked with Nicholas and gave him directions on the things she wanted him to do with the security video she asked him to find. Although he could fairly guess what his little cousin was up to, Nicholas was still confused about how she was planning all this in her little head. Yet, despite her stepdaughter’s state, Beatrice's grand birthday party carried on as planned. The house bustled with preparatio
The next day, Rose received a call from Theresa in the morning, telling her to visit the store because of something important. Rose actually thought it was something that wouldn't take time so she lied to Beatrice who was at home that she was going to her friend's place. As expected, Beatrice didn't probe too much and let Rose leave. It was only when Rose got there did she realize that it was going to take a while for her to finish up with the meeting so she tried to rush things up. Nancy sent a text message to Rose when she was having a meeting with Theresa, in order to inform Rose that she would soon be arriving at the location of the first house on Rose's list. Nancy wanted Rose to be present personally, so that she can be able to negotiate some of the terms with the real estate agent. Rose would have loved to attend the meeting but it was impossible since her meeting with Theresa wasn't over yet. As a result, she had no other choice but to text Nancy and told her to carry on w
“That is an excellent choice. I will give the estate manager incharge of these properties a call tonight and we can meet at the location to sign the complete deal.” Nancy suggested. Rose easily agrees to Nancy's term since she found the suggestion acceptable.“That's fine by me. I'll meet you there tomorrow morning.” “Yes, but that is not the case here. I don't think it's wise for you to go out again tomorrow with how you look." She added as she looked at Rose who tilted her head to the side. There is no way she wanted Rose to walk around with that face again tomorrow. Today was a mistake because she didn't know what happened to her.“Are you worried about me, big sister? Don't because I am fine. Besides, I need to handle this before it gets late because I will be needing it soon." Rose replied, giving a reassuring smile at Nancy.“I know but I still think you should get better first, huh? You have to care about yourself more." Nancy argued, despite knowing that Rose was right. Howe
When they arrived at their destination, Rose told Luthor to wait for her while she headed to the restaurant entrance.Immediately she entered the restaurant, she sighted Nancy sitting at one of the tables by the window so she made her way there while trying to control herself from limping too much.“I'm sorry for making you wait for me, sister Nancy." Rose said as she stood in front of the table.“Oh dear, Rose what happened to your face?” Nancy looked up when she heard Rose's voice ready to greet her with a smile but she was shocked when she saw Rose.Rose gave Nancy a smile before taking her seat in front of her. “It's nothing serious, I just got into a little accident but I'm healing now." She replied.“You should have told me about this, I wouldn't have accepted us to meet today. Are you sure you're okay coming out like this?" Nancy worriedly asked. “I am, don't worry about me." Rose nodded her head at Nancy but it wasn't enough to make the woman stop worrying about her. She was
………..The next day, Rose was unable to go to school because of injuries. After everyone had left the mansion, Rose picked up her phone and called Luthor to get the car ready for her.Well, the Gray family thought she would be unable to go out but that wasn't true, she had got appointments with Nancy who was already waiting for her at the restaurant they were supposed to meet.A few minutes later, Rose stepped out of her building fully dressed in all black clothes and backpack. Luthor, who was already waiting for her, stepped out of the driver seat and opened the back seat door for her.“Are you sure you should be going out in that condition?" Luthor asked as he drove out of the mansion. Earlier he had watched Rose limp into the car when he hadn't taken his eyes off her. Even as she sat in the car pressing her cellphone his gaze constantly fell on her bruised face and leg.Rose looked up from her phone and glanced at the driver seat. “Yes. It's important. And I told you not to have th
Beatrice was caught off guard when she heard Rose. How was she supposed to reply to that?Seeing her mother in a difficult situation to come up with something to say, Sophia tugged Rose's hand. “Sister, don't think like that. Ever since you left and mom found out that Victor chased you out, mom scolded him really really badly on your behalf." As a sweet-talker, Sophia expected her tricks to work on Roes who smiled at her and pretended like she never did anything earlier. It almost looked like she was a robot that was being rubbotted.Ah, yes. But it seems like my scolding isn't enough for him. I will make sure to seek punishment for him from your father when he comes back. My darling, I'm sorry for coming so late." Beatrice took the opportunity crested by her daughter and came up with something quickly.Rose smiled upon seeing how mother and daughter keep trying to come up with an excuse to cover for each other. Not wanting to drag on seeing their faces, Rose lied that she wanted to
Rose, who was busy taking her nap, frowned when she felt the presence in her room. ‘I should have locked that door earlier.’“Sister, wake up. It's me, Sophia." Sophia persistently shook Rose's body, making her groan in pain at how tight Sophia's grip was.“It hurts, Sophia.” Rose mumbled as she gently pushed Sophia's hand away and sat up on the bed." Oh, I'm sorry. Mother and I were just so excited and happy when we heard that you're back." Sophia quickly apologized as she sat beside Rose on the bed."Roseline, dear. Why did you do that? Do you have any idea how worried I was when I heard that you left the mansion? Your father got angry at me because of that.” Beatrice suddenly ranted as she looked at Rose with a fake worried expression on her face.“Mother, I didn't leave just like that. I had no choice but to listen to Victor when he chased me out because I didn't want him to get more angry with me." Rose replied as she looked up at Beatrice. Honestly, she wasn't really in the moo
Just as she was about to go inside, the gates opened and another car which belonged to Beatrice drove in as well, making Sophia pause.“Sophia, what are you doing outside still dressed like that?"Beatrice questioned as she stepped out of the car along with Victor. She had a scowl on her face when she saw her daughter still dressed the same way she had dressed when she left this morning.“I just got back home now." Sophia casually replied to her mother. “And before you scold me, I went out with my friends after school so I was late because of that." She quickly added, knowing what her mother might say next.“Mom, stop looking at Sophia like that. She is old enough to hang out with her friends, isn't she?” Victor suddenly Interjected while winking at his sister who smiled at him for his help.“I know, I just want you to be careful sometimes." As expected, Beatrice couldn't win against her children and softened her gaze at Sophia.“Mommy, did you get that picture of the dress I sent to y