---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
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 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 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
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
………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
---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
It was a speech prepared and arranged for Rose to deliver, and it would have sounded far more convincing if she had done so. However, Rose had stayed quiet the entire time, leaving William Gray with no choice but to do it himself."Fake? Photoshop? That’s the best explanation you can offer? Ridiculous! Do you think we’re so blind that we can’t tell the difference between fake and real? Does he truly think we’re stupid?"Some reporters exchanged skeptical glances, their pens pausing mid-sentence. The crowd seemed to share the same sentiment, murmuring in agreement, except for a small group of reporters.Before the other reporters had the chance to challenge him, a few voices rang out from the front row.“Mr. Gray is absolutely correct," one reporter said with exaggerated conviction. "The video lacks credibility. It's easy to manipulate footage these days, especially with advanced editing software."Another voice quickly added, "I agree. It’s well-edited, but if you look closely, you
As Rose followed Leo out of her room and down the grand staircase, she found herself wondering what exactly he had planned. Although she might not know Leo fully, she could already guess the kind of personality he has. ‘It could be anything from a simple drive to an impromptu trip across the city.’ Rose thought to herself. Either way, she knew she wouldn’t hear the end of it unless she went along. The moment they reached the ground floor, the sight of Anne and Karen sitting in the living room greeted them. They were seated on the plush couches, engaged in quiet conversation, but it was Karen who first noticed them approaching. Her eyes flickered to Rose and then to Leo, her brows drawing together slightly. "Dear, you decided to come downstairs already? Where are you two going?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with curiosity. Leo, never one to hesitate, shoved his hands into his pockets and smirked. "Just taking Rose out for some fun. She’s been locked up in her room all day, b
The soft tapping of fingers against a keyboard filled the quiet room as Rose remained focused on her work. She had been at it for hours, barely noticing the time passing. The only interruption she had experienced was when the maid brought her lunch, but even then, she had barely acknowledged it before returning to her task. A sudden knock on the door startled her, pulling her out of her concentration. Blinking, she stretched slightly before glancing at her phone. Her brows furrowed when she saw the time—it was already late afternoon. She hadn’t realized how long she had been working. Setting her things aside, Rose got up and walked toward the door. She turned the handle and pulled it open, only to find a familiar figure standing outside. Leo. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he regarded her with an unreadable expression. “Leo?” Rose blinked, slightly surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?” Instead of answering immediately, Leo smirked.
As soon as Rose stepped out of the car, a warm and welcoming sight greeted her. Anne and Karen stood at the entrance, their expressions filled with anticipation. "Rose, my dear!" Anne was the first to speak, stepping forward to take Rose’s hands in hers. She gave them a gentle squeeze before pulling her into a warm embrace. Rose smiled, returning the hug with familiarity. Anne’s embraces had become something she was used to—and, secretly, something she had grown to like. “Mother, I want to hug Rose too.” Karen’s voice came from behind, causing Anne to release Rose and turn toward her daughter-in-law. Karen wore a small pout, her usual composed demeanor slightly softened. Rose raised an amused brow at Karen. Though she hadn’t spent much time with her, she had always noticed how different Karen's personality was and it was the opposite of her own mother. Karen was calm and collected—unlike Ruby, whose very presence was enough to warn others not to cross her. “I thought you always l
As the car drove away from the Gray Mansion, Rose let out a soft sigh and leaned back against the seat. The weight of the morning’s events should have exhausted her, but instead, she felt lighter—freer. Luthor glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his lips curling into a small smirk. “You handled that well.” Rose tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Did I? I was just saying goodbye.” Luthor chuckled, shaking his head. “Right. And I’m sure your brother, Victor, enjoyed that hug, too.” A playful glint flashed in Rose’s eyes. “Brother Luthor, are you saying my farewell wasn’t heartfelt?” “Oh, it was heartfelt, alright. Just not in the way he expected,” Luthor remarked with amusement. “What did you say to him?” Rose rested her chin on her hand, her expression unreadable. “Just a little advice on choosing his words wisely.” Luthor hummed. “You mean a warning.” She smiled sweetly. “Advice. Warnings sound so… aggressive.” Luthor chuckled again. “You’re something else, little
Morning light streamed through the large windows of Rose’s room as Paige moved around with an air of practiced efficiency, carefully folding the last of Rose’s clothes. Although her expression remained neutral, there was a barely concealed sense of relief in her movements—relief that Rose was finally leaving the Gray Mansion. Rose, of course, noticed. She sat gracefully on the edge of her bed, watching as Paige meticulously arranged her belongings. “You seem eager to help today, Aunty.” Rose mused, her voice light with amusement. Paige, momentarily caught off guard, quickly regained her composure. “I just thought you’d want everything done efficiently,” she replied with a polite smile. “Since you’re leaving for the Anderson family… it’s important that everything is in place.” Rose chuckled softly, standing up. “How thoughtful of you.” Paige glanced at her briefly before returning to her task. “Rose, if I may offer some advice… The Andersons aren’t the Grays here. I'm sure you've
She cast a brief, unreadable glance at William and Beatrice. Their carefully composed expressions betrayed nothing, but she could feel the tension radiating off them. Without a word, she turned towards the grand staircase, intent on returning to her room. But just as she was about to place her foot on the first step, Beatrice’s voice called out, laced with careful concern. “Rose, wait.” Rose paused but didn’t turn immediately, letting the silence stretch just a little before shifting her gaze back to her. Beatrice had taken a few hesitant steps forward, her expression soft, her eyes shimmering as if on the verge of tears. “My dear, I'm so sorry you had to witness all of that.” She said regretfully. Rose raised her brow at Beatrice. “I don't why you're apologizing?” She asked. Beatrice shook her head and fake a small smile on her face. “It's all my fault. I should have paid more attention to you, that way the matriarch wouldn't have come here and asked you to come with them. I k
Rose on the other hand blinked. So that was why they were here? She knew something like this would happen but it seems like she didn't expect it to be this soon. She glanced at William, who, for once, remained quiet. Beatrice, on the other hand, looked like she had swallowed something bitter. ‘Looks like I've missed a show.’ Rose's lips curled up into a faint smile when she saw how obedient both William and Beatrice are. Suddenly, a thought popped into her brain. “I appreciate that, Uncle Julian,” Rose said sincerely. “But I don’t know if I should leave with you guys or not? Have you spoken with your father yet?” she asked why casting William a look. Both Anne and Julian immediately caught her gaze. Anne suddenly frowned before she cupped Rose's face to look at her. “My dear, you have nothing to be worried about. We have spoken to him and he has already agreed. I can no longer leave you here in the hands of these people anymore.” Anne replied but Rose gave her a reluctant look. “
William clenched his jaw. He knew Anne wasn’t bluffing. The Anderson family had the power to make his life far more difficult if he continued to resist. But still, letting Rose go meant giving up control over her, and he wasn’t ready for that. "You’re asking me to give up my own daughter," he said, his tone measured yet tense. Anne leaned back slightly, her expression unwavering. "I’m not asking. I’m telling you that this is what’s going to happen." Julian's expression added to the tensity in the room."Rose belongs with us now. You lost the right to dictate her life the moment you let her suffer in that scandal." William’s fingers tightened around the armrest of his chair. He could feel the walls closing in. It would be foolish to go against the Andersons given his situation, but he wasn’t about to hand over his daughter so easily. After a long moment of silence, he let out a deep breath. "Fine," he said at last. "I’ll let Rose go with you." Beatrice turned to him in surprise. "
Beatrice, who had been busy receiving a foot massage from one of the maids, sat up instantly. “What did you just say?” she asked with a surprised expression on her face as she looked at Mary. “Madam , this is not the time to sit down. I think you should go and make an appearance immediately before things get out of hand.” Mary advised Beatrice, who nodded her head in agreement despite the fact that she was still stunned by the news. “Does my husband know about this already?” Beatrice asked as she gestured to the other maid to leave. “I overheard the Head maid instructing the maid to go and inform the Master.” Mary replied. “Alright, let's go.“ Beatrice said and quickly rushed out of the room along with Mary behind her. Just as she stepped out of the room, she met William in the hallway, and he had a sour expression. “Honey, have you heard? Why would they come here at this hour?" she murmured, exchanging a wary glance at her husband. William exhaled sharply. "Only one way to fi