They understood what Rose meant. She was prepared. If anyone intervened, she would not retreat but fight.She was still the daughter of the Gray family, one of the richest families in California and Grand niece of those Anderson’s who had the power in California that no one should ever underrate.Kehlani didn't really understand much about business, but she knew she wanted to help her friend. If it was important to Rose, then it was important to her."Mum, please say yes. I trust Rose, and I trust you."" Mrs. Theresa, If it's okay for me to interfere. I'd say you take up this offer from Rose. I don't know what is on ground before but I see a lot of benefits from this offer.” Unlike Kehlani, Sandra understood business very well because she used to assist her mother to handle their restaurant. It was a secret she made her mother promise to keep but she had always been the person who helped her parents come up with new business strategies.Theresa knew there was a lot of risk if she
The next day, Rose was about to leave with Kehlani after school. Sandra was not with them today because she had to go home for something important. Suddenly her phone rang, making Rose stop.Kehlani saw a frown on her face and wondered what it was about. "Is everything ok? Who was it?"Rose rarely used her phone, and people rarely called her. This was unusual."It was my step-mother. She said there was something to talk to me about and asked me to go home now." Rose answered while thinking, ‘What is it about? This is weird and I don't like this.’“Are you okay, Rose?" Kehlani asked, snapping Rose out of her thoughts.“I will drop you off at home and head home as well." Rose told Kehlani, who nodded at her as they walked to where Luthor was waiting for them.After dropping Kehlani just like she said, she told Luthor to drive home. As soon as she opened the door, she heard Beatrice laughing flirtatiously, and wondered what was happening.‘What is that woman up to laughing like that?’
The maid quickly handed the cup to Rose, collected it and had a few sips before she finally spoke. "What exactly did you ask me to home for, step mother?" Rose asked Beatrice.“Um…..I asked you to come so that I can introduce you to the tutor I hired for you." Beatrice was taken aback at first but she quickly controlled herself.“Aha, Just a tutor. I thought it was someone important." Rose said indifferentlyShe acted like a spoiled rich girl, and there was apparent disdain in her tone.Henry instantly felt like someone had slapped him hard on his face. He blushed with embarrassment. It was the very first time a girl had shown a dislike for him.Yet, he composed himself, forced a smile on his face, and carried on, "Roseline, I have to say you are very pretty and.."Everyone loves compliments. Girls love to know people think they are pretty. Henry thought he could use the same tactic with Rose since he saw her as an easy girl.However, before he could finish his sentence, Rose coldly c
Meanwhile, Beatrice is also in the same situation as Henry. She chose Henry because she was sure that he was the sort of guy Rose would like in an instant. Isn't he her cup of tea? Why is she behaving like this? She had no time to figure it out now, so she dropped the matter off her mind and quickly ran after Henry. "Mr. Walker, stay, please. I'm really sorry. It's my fault. You see, I've spoiled her too much. Please don't be angry." She pleaded. Henry thought here came the chance to retort. He glared at Rose, then turned back to look at Beatrice. "Mrs. Gray, you are a very caring mother, and you have done a lot for your daughter, but she's just too arrogant. Even though I'm not the direct heir of the Walker family, I'm still the second son and I have my dignity. I refuse to be humiliated by someone insolent like her." "Tut" Rose let out a loud noise of disapproval and accidentally spat out the tea in her mouth. ‘Dignity?! Hahaha. Did he actually say dignity?! How shameless! To lu
After Henry stormed out of the room in rage and was defeated. Rose felt rewarded and uplifted. ‘Aii, revenge does make you feel good. I shall do more of this often since I feel at peace now.’ Rose stood up from her seat and walked to her room while humming a cheery tune, dropped her school bag on the bed and went to open the window that led to the balcony. She intended to sit down and take some fresh air but paused when she saw both Beatrice and Henry standing by the spring in the garden. They both looked emotional, Henry was intending to walk away and Beatrice was also trying to stop him. Some words were exchanged, and a few minutes passed till Henry was finally persuaded as he looked calm and showed a wicked smile. It seemed they were conspiring against her. ‘Hmm, plotting against me, is that it?’ Rose thought as she stared at the two people outside. After a while, Henry walked towards the gate while Beatrice watched him. She stood there for a while as if she was in deep though
Rose threw another cheeky smile at Beatrice. “Well, that is something my father doesn't need to know. Moreover, father loves you so much so there is no way he would ever say no to you. You will stand by my side, won't you, mother? Huh? Please?” Beatrice didn't expect such cheekiness and had to give in helplessly, "Of course, sweetheart." ‘I will let you off this time, for now. I need to think of a better plan. A long-term one.’ Then she suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, where are the jade rings and bracelets I bought you? I will keep them safe for you, and you just let me know when you need them." Almost eight billion dollars, they cost a lot! ‘If the money was spent on my own daughter, Sophia, it's alright, but on this little bugger! Thinking about it just makes me angry. Now that people have seen her wear it, it's time to get them back.’ "Oh, but er…" Rose frowned, "About that, I've put them in the safe in the bank." ‘This little brat! You are quick, a
“Oh my, I'm sorry for disturbing you, young miss." The maid instantly knew that her presence her disturbed Rose so she quickly apologized. “Forget it. What do you want?" Rose coldly waved her hand and asked again. “Umm…..the master asked me to call you downstairs.” The maid informed, making the scowl on Rose's face deepened. " Tell my father I'm busy now so I will come later.” Rose said and was about to close the door when the maid stopped her. " Young miss, the master said it's something important and he wants you to meet someone so he asked me to bring you now. If I return back without you, I would get yelled at.” The maid told Rose, a pleading expression on her face as she looked at Rose. She was scared to lose her job if she didn't bring Rose since William looked to be in a bad mood already. “Someone?" Rose raised her brow. ‘Did he want me to meet that bastard, Henry Walker again? Beatrice wouldn't have told him, right?’ She thought. Normally, she still wanted to refuse
“Rose, you weren’t aware of this but your mother was related to the Anderson family before she died.”William said. “Roseline, your father is right. Your mother is my cousin and we on;y heard about your arrival in the country so we came to meet your father.” Julian suddenly spoke. “Are you saying that my mother had a relative that I wasn't aware of? Why didn’t you tell me about them before, father?” Rose asked, giving William a questioning look. William was caught off guard when he heard her question because he didn’t know how to reply back to her, not when she had that expression on her face. Seeing that her husband was in a tight position, Beatrice decided to come to his rescue and help. “Rose, please don’t blame your father. He just didn’t tell you all this because he thought you shouldn’t know about thi yet. He was only doing what is best for you.” She said and William quickly nodded his head. “Is that so? I know you care for me but that doesn’t mean you have to decide whethe
---The press conference was held at the luxurious Riverview Grand Hotel, a venue known for hosting high-profile events. The large conference room was packed to capacity with journalists, photographers, and reporters from various media, all eager to catch a glimpse of the trending Gray family.As soon as Rose entered the room with William, Beatrice, Victor, and Sophia, the reporters surged forward like a swarm of hungry predators."Roseline Gray, what’s your opinion on the recent video?""Roseline Gray, how do you feel about being attacked by your half-brother Victor Gray?""This isn’t the first time, is it? Why have you stayed silent about the abuse?""Your father didn’t defend you—have you ever resented him for it?""How do you feel about the way your stepmother treats you?""Doesn’t your stepsister Sophia support you either? Do you feel completely isolated?""Roseline Gray, I heard you came back to the country, so what did you do to be beaten up by your step brother?”Question afte
………The next day, Rose dressed carefully for the press conference. She applied a touch of makeup to cover her bruises, though some marks were still visible. She chose a white summer dress, its delicate design giving her an air of fragility.When she descended the stairs, Beatrice was waiting, her irritation evident as Rose had made them for a long time on purpose.“Why are you wearing that? Pick a brighter color! You look better in something cheerful. And put more makeup on!” Beatrice protested as she scanned what Rose was wearing.‘What is she trying to do? Is she trying to look weak on purpose?’ Beatrice fumed internally. ‘This conference is meant to prove the video was false, not the opposite! If anything bad happens to my son, you’ll pay for it!’ she seethed.Rose’s eyes filled with tears as she replied meekly, “Dr. Noah said makeup could cause scarring if applied before my cuts heal. But I thought it would look too obvious without anything, so I used a little to cover most of the
They began the game in silence, the soft clink of chess pieces the only sound. Frank’s moves were calculated, deliberate, but he quickly realized Rose wasn’t an easy opponent. Her strategy was sharp, her responses precise, and it wasn’t long before she had him on the defensive.Frank leaned back in his chair, studying the board with newfound respect. “You’re quite skilled. Your mother must have been an excellent teacher.”“She was,” Rose replied, her tone tinged with fondness. “She always said chess was like life. Every move matters, and you have to think several steps ahead.”Frank nodded, his expression thoughtful. “A wise woman. And what have you learned from this game?”Rose paused, a small smile playing on her lips. “That you’re cautious but adaptable. You test your opponent before committing to a strategy.”Frank raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “Well observed. You’ve got a sharp mind, Rose. A rare gift.”“Thank you,” Rose said, warmth creeping into her voice.As the game p
Rose smiled, caught between the two. “I… I didn’t mean to start a competition!” she said, laughing lightly.Frank chuckled and placed a hand on Anne’s shoulder. “It’s not a competition, dear,” he said softly, his voice carrying a reassuring note. “Let her call us whatever she feels comfortable with.”Anne smiled, the playful edge fading. “Well, as long as she knows I’m the most important one,” she said with a wink.Julian laughed, crossing his arms and leaning back casually. “I’ll tell you what Rose, in order to soften the situation. It would be best if you call mom ‘Grandma’ and father ‘Grandfather,’ Deal?”Rose laughed, feeling the warmth of their banter. “Deal!” she said, her heart lightened by the playful atmosphere. She totally forgot that she felt stiffened up earlier.“Well,” she said, giving Anne a quick hug, “I’ll call you Grandma, if you prefer that. I just... I think it slipped out. It feels right.”Anne’s face softened, her smile returning. “Of course, darling. I suppose
*********The grandeur of the Anderson Ancestral home was as breathtaking as ever, with its ornate architecture and sprawling gardens. Though Rose had visited before, this time felt different. It wasn’t a casual visit—it was her escape, her refuge after the chaos at the Gray mansion.Julian guided her inside, where Frank and Anne Anderson awaited in the living room. Despite the familiarity, Rose still felt a twinge of hesitation as she approached them.“Rose, my darling,” Anne said warmly, pulling her into a gentle hug. Her soft hair brushed against Rose’s cheek as she held her close. “I’ve been worried about you. I’m so glad you’re here now.”“Thank you, Grandma,” Rose replied, her voice steady though her heart fluttered at the kindness."My goodness, how on earth did you end up in this state? How dare William Gray let his incompetent fool do this to my precious child? Does he have a death wish?" Anne fumed, her voice trembling with rage. Though most of the wounds were finally heali
Rose, who heard Beatrice’s voice paused and looked at Beatrice, her expression blank but her posture poised.Beatrice clasped her hands together, her tone pitiful. “Rose, I… I know I’ve made mistakes. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have let things get so out of hand. Please, don’t leave. We’re family. Let me make it up to you. What would the people say if they knew you left home?”‘Tsk, you're still worried about your safety and reputation.’ Rose scoffed.Her gaze fixed on Beatrice. She tilted her head slightly, her tone soft and innocent. “Oh, Mother, I don’t blame you at all. It wasn’t your fault. These things just… happen.”Beatrice’s eyes widened, taken aback by Rose’s response. “I—I’ll do better, I swear. I’ll talk to Victor, and we’ll make this right. You don’t need to go.”Rose offered a small, sweet smile. “You’re too kind, mother, But Uncle Julian is right—I need a change of scenery. It’s not about you. I just need a little time to heal.”Beatrice reached for her hand, h
---The Gray mansion loomed under the overcast sky, its towering structure a stark reminder of the battles fought within its walls. Two days had passed since Rose signed the contract, transferring her shares to William. But her mind was far from defeated. She had called her uncle, Julian Anderson, with one clear directive: take her out of this house.As the sleek black car pulled up to the grand entrance, William stood at the threshold, his expression unreadable but his stance stiff with tension. Julian stepped out, his tailored suit and confident demeanor a sharp contrast to William’s simmering hostility.“Julian,” William greeted, his voice laced with forced politeness. “What brings you here today?”Julian’s gaze swept over William coldly. “I’m here for Rose.”William’s jaw tightened. “Rose is perfectly fine where she is.”Julian smirked, his sharp features hardening. “Fine? Is that what you call being bitten by your son? Victor’s behavior was barbaric. She’s covered in bruises, an
‘My wife is right. She's changed. She's plotting something,’ William thought, his suspicions solidifying."So, she’s put her guard up against me," he muttered in a tone only he can hear, his expression darkening. If that’s the case, I’ll have to get rid of her soon.But the tens of billions he craved wouldn’t be his until Rose turned twenty.Rose felt the sudden wave of hostility radiating from her father and shivered. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do, even to his own daughter, to get what he wants. She was certain of it.That was the real William Carter: calculating and ruthless. With no power, money, or connections of her own, Rose wasn’t a threat to him—yet. But her time for revenge hadn’t come, and until then, she had no choice but to play along.Quickly, she donned a sweet smile and replied in her softest voice, "You’re my dad. There’s no need to borrow anything. Whatever you need, I’m happy to give it to you and help in any way I can."Her thoughts told a different story. This is
"Father?!" William snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Rose's voice next to him. Rose frowned at the way William jolted at her words. It's obvious he was daydreaming, but the fact that he was wasting her time was even more annoying to her.“Do you have something else to.say?" She asked.For a moment, as though remembering his true purpose for coming, he cleared his throat and turned to look at her properly.“There’s something I need to ask you, Rose.” He hesitated, his tone softening. “Do you remember the 10% shares your grandfather gifted you? I need you to lend them to me. It’s critical for stabilizing the company. I promise, once we get through this tough time, I’ll return them to you.”The words landed exactly as Rose had expected. She had been waiting for this moment.When she was born, her grandfather had gifted her 10% of the company’s shares—a sizable stake, even by Gray standards. Those shares had remained untouched, protected by a clause that prevented their use unti