They took their seats on their respectful chairs. Frank sat at the head of the table with Anne beside him, Julian and his two sons sat at the other side of the table. As for Rose , she ended up sitting in between Anne and Karen which made her a bit calmer. She felt the motherly aura from both Anne and Karen. No matter how dry and blank she looked, Anne did not mind her and just showed her love without thinking the same goes to Karen who had liked her the moment she set her eyes on her. Rose put a small piece of the meat in her mouth gracefully. Every gesture she made while eating was extremely refined and delicate from the way she moved her chopstick to how she cut the meat or moved her mouth to eat the food was screaming perfect elegance that even people from well reputed families can't imitate. Her action took everyone present by surprise. She didn't look like she had any idea about etiquettes but she just displayed a perfect eating etiquette that would take people years and ye
………On the other hand, after eating dinner the Anderson family gathered in the living room. Since there are still some things that needed to be done Frank decided to ask Julian about the things they were unable to say earlier. They both discussed the situation of the company and progress of the company when Frank suddenly changed the topic.“What do you think about Roseline, Julian?" He asked his son.“Father, there is nothing wrong with Rose. Except for the fact that I get the feeling that we are not dealing with a normal girl. There are still a lot of things she has hidden but I'm sure we will figure them out the more time we spend with her.” Julian honestly replied, those were the things he noted in Rose." I have the same thought as well. She seems way smarter and more mature than her age. It makes me wonder what happened to her for her to grow up quickly.” Frank nodded in agreement with Julian with a small frown on his face.“What do you expect, Old man? That child obviously had
Despite trying different sleeping poses she would end up opening her eyes unable to sleep. She didn't know what was wrong with her but sleeping was really difficult for her“Damn it!" Rose cursed as she sat up on the bed. ‘Water……I'm thirsty.’ She thought to herself, feeling her throat dry as she looked around the room.Left with no other choice, Rose sighed as she stood up from the bed and made her way out of the room to look for water herself. Although she wasn't sure where the kitchen was in the mansion, but she was sure she would find her way there eventually. It was late already and there was no maid around that she could ask to help her.It took Rose almost half an hour before she was finally able to find the kitchen. If she wasn't really thirsty she would have returned back to her room but she was fortunate to find the kitchen.After she was done drinking water, she poured herself another glass of water to take to her room in case she was thirsty later. It would be a hassle t
Rose let out a sigh of relief as she gently rubbed her wrist. “I'm sorry about that." Nicholas apologized, gesturing to her wrist she was rubbing. Their first encounter was with him hitting her with a door and now he nearly broke her wrist again which is all red because of how pale her skin was. “Ah, it's okay." Rose replied with a shake of her head. " What are you doing here? And why are you still awake?” Nicholas finally questioned her. " I was on my way back to my room when I noticed the door opened and saw you here. I was going to wake you up but it seems like you are very much awake.” She calmly answered. “What were you looking for outside your room? It's late to be roaming around.” He inquired again. “Nothing much. I came out to get some water to drink when I was thirsty and I couldn't call any maid to help me.” She told him again. “What about you? It's quite late and cold out here.” Rose asked and she looked down at Nicholas. "I just came out here to get some breeze.
“Why don't you just call me, Rose?" She asked him, still looking at the sky. It was a pitch dark sky adorned with a lot of shining stars, even the crescent moon was glowing brighter than it usually was. Unfortunately, even if the sky was a beautiful sight at the moment, her mind momentarily drifted back to the night she fell off the yacht on her wedding anniversary day. The sky was the only thing she could see as she sank deeper into the ocean all alone, praying desperately for help. However, it seems some entity or the heavens heard her desperate cry and here she was. Rose couldn't help but shiver at her own thoughts again. “Cousin, I think I really like this family. It took me a long time and my naivety almost ruined me because I thought I had a family but they are just a bunch of people after something. I can already picture what would happen to me if they get what they want. Perhaps they would poison me, murder me and make it seem like a car accident, or better still, have me ge
Nicholas couldn’t help but take a peek at her and shaked his head. “You possess a narcissistic side to yourself as well, Rose. You easily fool people with that face and you are very proud of it.” He said. “Cousin, I have a favor to ask you.” Rose suddenly spoke, her expression becoming serious which made Nicholas look at her. “What favor do you want to ask?” He asked her. “This favor I'm going to ask has to be a secret between us for now, so are you up for it?” She questioned. The favor she was about to ask him had to do with something Sophia had told her the night she died. She clearly remembers Sophia babbling that Beatrice had something to do with her mother’s death and also William was involved with her mother’s death as well. “And why do you want to trust me if this favor is something that needs to be kept a secret?” Nicholas raised his brow at her. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t trust people easily and just because I like you doesn't mean I trust fully, cousin. What I'm say
“Why did you want to investigate your step mother, rose?” Nicholas couldn’t help but ask her. “Just because……” Rose replied with a shrug but it only made Nicholas narrow his brow at her because he didn’t buy that response from her. Rose knew Nicholas didn’t buy her response but she chose to ignore him. After all, she has already told him that he would get his answers if he really investigated Beatrice for her. “Are you going to help me, cousin?” She asked him. “I already agreed to help you so I have no choice but to do it.” Nicholas said. Rose couldn’t help but smile when she heard him. “That’s good. Thank you for helping me and I might end up giving you the answers you need before you complete the investigation. But that is if I see that you are trustworthy enough.” she told him, making Nicholas raise his brow at her. “I thought you said you didn’t have the answers to my question?” He asked but Rose grinned at him. “I don’t have your answers now but I might have them in the fut
***** The next mornings, RING! RING! RING! Rose was woken up from her sleep by the sound of her cell phone ringing. She lazily stretched her arm to the bedside table where she left her phone before going to sleep the previous night after her conversation with Nicholas.Without checking the identity of the caller she just accepted the call and placed the phone on her ear. "Hello, who is this?" Rose asked in a drowsy voice. "Good morning partner, I can't believe you're still in bed sleeping by this time in the morning." A familiar feminine voice accused Rose who opened her half closed eyes.“Mrs. Theresa?" Rose called as she wasn't expecting her to be the caller. “Oh, yes. Dear Rose, it's me but it seems like you are still on the bed?" Theresa answered and asked with an amused smile on her lips."It is still early in the morning, so I think I'm the one who is supposed to be complaining about you calling at such a time, Mrs. Theresa." Rose retorted in a defensive tone. Theresa co
“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