Dr. Noah was bewildered to see both Beatrice and Victor beaten, but he dared not utter a word. It was the older daughter who got beaten just a couple of weeks ago, and now it was their turn? What is wrong with this family? He could tell that there is definitely something wrong with this family but he knew his place. He couldn't ask questions so he only ignored his curiosity and did his job. William had been told it was merely bruises and minor cuts, but he insisted the doctor check again thoroughly and ordered him to stay just in case. Though unnecessary, Dr. Noah obeyed. He cleaned the cuts carefully, terrified of making any mistakes as William watched tensely. When he had finished, he glanced at Rose, who sat by Victor’s side looking genuinely worried. He packed his medical kits and then quietly made his exit not without stealing a glance at William. ‘ What a contrast! When his older daughter was injured, he didn’t even ask how she was. Now that it’s his wife and son, he’s sick
The Gray family’s carefully crafted facade was crumbling, and their dirty secrets were being laid bare for the world to see. Victor, seeing that his mother was not taking his side after his pride was hurt, lashed out at both his mother, sister and even the maids in the room, yelling, “Get out! Leave me alone!” Hearing this from her own room, Rose smiled faintly. Despite the pain and humiliation she had endured, the tide was turning in her favor. She let out a sigh, savoring the sense of triumph. “Like they say, An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Betrayal for revenge." Rose mumbled under her breath as she walked towards the dressing table and opened a drawer. “Victor, let's talk–” Beatrice tried to persuade her son to calm down. " I said, leave!" Victor didn't wait for Beatrice to finish talking because he cut her off again. “Mom, let's leave him alone.” Sophia, who was still pissed off at Victor, couldn't stand him anymore so she practically dragged her worried mother out o
Edward, who had been observing the conversation silently, finally spoke up. “It’s curious, isn’t it? Alex, of all people, taking notice of a young woman like Rose. Makes you wonder if he sees something the rest of us don’t. You know what I'm saying, Nicholas.” Nicholas’s dark eyes flicked to Edward, colder now. “Alex doesn’t make moves without reason. Whatever he sees, I’ll make sure it doesn’t harm her.” Edward smirked, clearly entertained by Nicholas’s unwavering stance. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? I didn’t think you’d grow so attached so quickly.” Nicholas ignored the comment. He wasn’t attached. Not emotionally, at least. This wasn’t about sentimentality—it was about principle. Rose was young, yes, but she wasn’t fragile. She had already proven she could hold her own in their world. But Alex was a different matter entirely. Chris sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “You’re not going to stop Alex, are you? I mean, he’s Alex—cold, calculating, and terrifying in h
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom of the Gray mansion, William stepped inside to find Beatrice already waiting for him. She was seated on the edge of the bed, her arms crossed as she observed his unusually calm demeanor. Her brow lifted in suspicion the moment their eyes met.“You’re back,” she remarked, standing up and making her way toward him. As she reached him, her hands instinctively moved to help unbutton his shirt. “Did something happen? You seem... different.” Her gaze searched his face for answers.William exhaled as he shrugged off his shirt. “Nothing,” he replied, his tone dismissive. “I just went to clarify a few things with Rose, and it turns out I was worried for nothing. She’s still the same—naïve and foolish as ever.”Beatrice, however, wasn’t convinced. “Honey, are you sure about this?” she pressed, folding her arms. “You saw how things played out today. Someone orchestrated that disaster, and we were humiliated. Who else could have done something like that? And…” She
The Anderson Ancestral Mansion was bathed in the soft glow of evening lights as the family gathered in the grand sitting room. After watching the Gray family press conference today, Karen had urged her husband seriously to bring them here and since he originally wanted to see his father about their next plan seeing how the Gray family has treated Rose so he agreed to bring them along. After discussing with his father, both Julian and Frank came down to the living room where Karen, Anne were sitting in the living room. Karen, who had been holding a teacup in her hands, suddenly set it down on the coffee table with a sharp clink. Her face, usually calm, was now etched with frustration "I just can’t keep quiet about this anymore," she said, looking around the table. "What we saw today at the press conference was unacceptable! How can we allow Rose to stay in that house after everything the Gray family has done to her? Did you see how William treated her? Like she was nothing more th
Everyone leaned in to see the screen. News articles and social media posts flooded the internet, all centered around the incident at today’s press conference. The video William had tried to suppress had resurfaced, spreading like wildfire. The public was outraged, and the Gray family was being criticized heavily for their treatment of Rose. Karen gasped. “But how? William had this taken down hours ago.” Julian smirked slightly. “Exactly. He tried to take it down. But someone clearly made sure it didn’t stay that way.” Anne’s eyes widened in realization. “You think my Rose had a hand in this?” “I’m not certain,” Nicholas suddenly spoke. “There is someone who is making sure William Gray doesn’t get the last word.” he added, his eyes darkened when he thought of the only person who could do something like that. Karen and Anne exchanged glances. The situation wasn’t as hopeless as they had originally thought, but still, the unease lingered in their hearts. Karen exhaled in relief as
Just as Rose was busy enjoying her time reading each negative comment on the Gray family, her moment got interrupted when a call notification popped up on her phone screen. Rose frowned slightly at the interrupting but the frown quickly vanished when she saw the caller was none other than Alissa so she immediately answered the call. “Hey Li-" Rose had barely had a chance to greet her before a loud voice exploded from the other end. "ROSELINE GRAY! Do you have any idea how long it’s been since you last called me? Are you alive? Did you forget I exist?" Rose chuckled, holding the phone a little away from her ear. "Hello to you too, Alissa." "Don’t you ‘hello’ me! Three. Whole. Days. Do you know how much can happen in three days? I could’ve been kidnapped, gotten married, or worse—run out of my favorite snacks!" Rose shook her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You? Run out of snacks? Impossible. You probably have an entire stockpile hidden under your bed." "That’s not the
The evening air was crisp as a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the imposing Gray Mansion. The headlights cut through the dimly lit driveway before fading as the engine turned off. Paige immediately stepped forward and bowed her head as the people in the car highlighted. “Good evening, Madam Anderson, Mr. Anderson. I'm Paige, the Handmaid of the Gray Family.” She greeted both Anne and Julian in a respectful manner while introducing herself to them. Just before the car arrived, she had received a message from the security guards at the entrance and that was why she was already waiting for them. Anne glanced at Paige before giving her a small nod while Julian gave Paige a quick response. He didn't know Paige but she has always welcomed him warmly with respect anytime he visits the Gray mansion. As Paige led Anne and Julian into the elegant living room of the Gray Mansion, she gestured for them to take a seat. The air was thick with tension, though Anne maintained her u
However, amidst their yelling, Karen wasn’t done. “Let's not pretend you’re here because you care about my Rose. I don't care much about high society but I have enough information to know that you and Beatrice are never friends and you just proved me right. You saw a chance to use my Rose to humiliate Beatrice in public. But the truth is—Beatrice doesn’t even see you as a rival. You’re not a threat to her. You’re just a footnote.” That did it. Even though Karen didn't like Beatrice, she had to use her as a weapon to damage Margret. And it was true in some ways, Beatrice never saw Margaret as a rival and that was why she left her off. Beatrice is more cunning and has better things to do than Margret. On the other hand, Margaret’s face turned red, her voice rising. “You arrogant little—! Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me like that?!” “I’m someone you should’ve never insulted,” Karen replied coolly. “Especially not in front of witnesses.” “You're such a bitch! You even
Karen returned with graceful steps, wiping her hands with a silk handkerchief as she approached the table—only to stop mid-step at the sight before her. Three women, overdressed and oozing fake charm, surrounded Rose, who looked irritated and uncomfortable. Karen’s expression hardened immediately. “Is there a problem here?” Karen asked smoothly as she walked up to the table, though her voice was laced with sharpness. Margaret immediately changed her facial expression as she turned without even bothering to look properly. “Oh, relax. We’re just having a friendly chat. Nothing that concerns—” She paused, eyes scanning Karen lazily. Then scoffed. “Oh. You’re the lady that was with her earlier?” Margaret blinked, her voice condescending. “How… quaint. Let me guess—you’re her assistant or... manager?” Rose blinked, trying not to laugh. It was obvious now that these women were actually dumb. Even if Karen is not well known amongst the high socialist thanks to the fact that she lives t
From across the room, Margaret Pezz had been watching like a hawk. Dressed in an ivory designer set and dripping in gold jewelry, Margaret whispered something to her friends, eyes gleaming. With Karen out of the way, it was time to make her move. She strutted over, her heels clicking arrogantly against the marble. Two overdressed women followed her like loyal shadows. “Roseline, darling!” Margaret said with feigned delight, placing a hand on the back of Rose’s chair as if they were long-lost friends. “I couldn’t believe it was you! You look absolutely radiant in person.” Rose looked up slowly from the food menu she was still checking out, expression unreadable. “Do I know you?” Margaret laughed, her voice grating. “Oh, we haven’t officially met. I’m Margaret Pezz—a very close friend of Beatrice, your stepmother.” The moment she said Beatrice’s name, Rose’s expression soured. Margaret noticed and quickly backtracked, playing both sides. “But honestly dear, I never liked the way
The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the Anderson estate, bathing the grand dining hall in a warm glow. Rose sat at the breakfast table, quietly sipping her tea as Anne and Karen conversed about an upcoming events. "You should get some fresh air today," Anne suggested, eyeing Rose over her cup of coffee. Karen nodded in agreement. "Actually, I was thinking of taking her out. Just a small outing—maybe some shopping, a café stop. What do you think, Rose?" Rose blinked, caught off guard. "Shopping?" "Yes," Karen said with a small smile. "You could use a few new things, and a change of scenery might be nice." Rose hesitated. She wasn’t exactly the type to enjoy aimless shopping trips at the moment, but the way Anne and Karen were looking at her told her this was more than just a casual suggestion. It was their way of trying to spend time with her. And truthfully, a part of her was beginning to appreciate the warmth they offered. "Alright," she finally agreed.
Later that evening, Rose wandered through the grand hallways of the Anderson estate, her footsteps light against the polished floors. She wasn’t sure what had compelled her to leave the comfort of her room, but something about the quiet atmosphere of the night made her restless. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of her grandfather's study. Hesitating for only a moment, she knocked lightly. "Come in," came the deep, commanding voice from inside. Rose pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding Frank seated at a massive mahogany desk, a glass of whiskey beside him. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the shelves lined with books and relics of the past. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked, not looking up as he finished scribbling on a document. "Something like that," Rose admitted, stepping closer. Frank gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit." She did, expecting the usual quiet company they sometimes shared. But instead of returning to his work, Frank pulled o
The next day, Rose sat in the sunroom with Anne, sipping tea while flipping through an old book she had pulled from the family’s extensive library. The warm golden light streamed through the glass walls, casting soft shadows across the polished floor. Anne, ever the poised and graceful matriarch, studied her granddaughter with sharp yet affectionate eyes. "Are you comfortable, dear?" Rose glanced up from her book. "Yes, Grandmother. More comfortable than I expected to be." A rare, approving smile graced Anne's lips. "Good. You should feel at home here." Before Rose could respond, Karen entered the room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Ah, perfect. You're both here," she said, taking a seat across from Rose. Anne arched her brow. "You sound suspiciously excited. What are you up to, my dear?" Karen smirked, “Yes, I'm excited, mother because I have some nice news for Rose.” she said then turned to Rose. "I had a little chat with Headmistress Moore this morning. She ag
Dinner continued with casual conversation, and despite how formal the Anderson household could seem, the atmosphere wasn’t tense. After finishing her meal, Rose excused herself, but before she could leave, Leo grabbed her wrist. "Where are you going?" Rose gave him a pointed look. "To see Grandfather." Leo blinked in surprise but quickly masked it. He let go of her wrist and shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don’t stay up too late." Rose shook her head and walked off. However, she didn't head straight to meet Frank, she made a quick stop at the kitchen. Frank’s study was dimly lit, the faint scent of aged paper and cedarwood clinging to the air. He sat behind his desk, flipping through a thick folder of documents. A soft knock echoed through the room. “Come in,” Frank’s voice called out, calm but firm. The door opened and Rose stepped inside, carrying a polished tray with a single porcelain teacup. She closed the door behind her with a quiet click. Frank looked up and paused, ey
“What’s going on here?” Rose’s voice was calm but firm as she stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over the tension-filled scene. She had spotted the standoff the moment she entered the stall. Sandra turned to her, arms crossed. “Oh, perfect timing. This girl thinks staring at a snack means she owns it.” The girl scoffed when she heard Sandra’s explanation. “And this girl thinks she can just take whatever she wants.” The vendor, seeing Rose enter the conversation, looked relieved. “Miss, maybe you can help settle this?” Rose exhaled, her gaze flickering between them before settling on the other girl with calm finality. “If you really wanted it, you should have asked the vendor to hold it for you. Since you didn’t, I don’t see why this is even an argument.” The girl frowned, seemingly unprepared for someone to shut down the situation with pure logic instead of fueling the fight. One of her friends stepped up, opening her mouth to say something, but Rose’s voice cut through th
After finishing their meal, the group began heading back to their private room when Sandra suddenly stopped. “You guys go ahead. Kehlani and I need to grab something real quick.” Kaleb raised a brow at her. “What is it?” “A snack I saw earlier,” Sandra replied, waving him off. “It won’t take long.” Austin sighed but didn’t argue. “Fine, just don’t get into trouble.” Leo glanced at Rose, but before he could say anything, she spoke first. “I’ll catch up with you. I want to check something at the next stall too.” Leo narrowed his eyes but didn’t question her, since he knew she wouldn’t tell him what it was. “Are you sure you don't want me to come along? The last thing I need is you getting lost.” He asked which earned him a glare from Rose. “I will be fine without you. And I will also catch up with both Sandra and Kehlani, ” She replied. Seeing that she wouldn’t let him go with her, he finally relented. “Don’t take too long.” With that, the three boys walked off, leaving the girl