If it weren’t for Rosemary’s lightning-quick reflexes, that knife would have sailed through the air and pierced her heart.
Suddenly, from every direction, a slew of assailants appeared, their faces obscured by black masks,each one wielding a switchblade, lunging swiftly towards the two won.
"Ah. Who the hell are you??" Cathy cried out in terror.
What shocked her even more was the realization that Rosemary was faster and more precise than any of them.
As two blades aid for Rosemary simultaneously, she kicked the attacker in front of her and deftly grabbed his knife, slashing at the arm of the assailant behind her, who imdiately started bleeding
profusely.
The perilous monts flashed before Cathy’s eyes as Rosemary pushed and pulled her around like a puppet on strings, until finally, Cathy’s gaze settled on the scene - all the attackers were down, sprawled on the ground.
Cathy was utterly astounded; there must have been at least a dozen of them, each clutching their wounds, writhing in pain on the ground. Blood was everywhere.
"Leaving you all alive is a ssage. Go tell your boss I’m definitely coming for him. And tell him to pony up for so real talent next ti; you guys are just amateur hour."
Cathy was stunned, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at Rose, who was too cool for school,throwing down such badass lines to the defeated hitn.
"Take your toys and scram," Rosemary tossed the switchblade in front of them, a gesture that was more insulting than injurious.
A few attackers would have left if they could, but Rosemary had been ruthless; they couldn’t even stand without help. Eventually, they managed to stagger away with the aid of others.
A beam of headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the grueso trail of blood on the ground.
Roo stepped out of the car swiftly and saw the retreating figures, "What happened here?"
"Nothing much, just asking them to send a ssage for ."
Cathy was in shock again, Rosemary’s tone was just too casual. She nonchalantly opened the car door,gesturing for Cathy to get in first.
For Cathy, it was her first encounter with a scene straight out of a thriller movie, and she found herself frozen in place. Seeing her like this, Roo uttered helplessly, "Buck up."
Since Rose wanted to send a ssage, he decided not to pursue, only asking, "You hurt anywhere?"
"Playing with rookies, how could I get hurt?"
Cathy felt like she’d been sucker-punched hearing Rose’s comnt. Such a terrifying ordeal, and to Rosemary, it was like playing with kids.
"Glad you’re okay. Seems like the mastermind couldn’t wait any longer and wanted to silence us." As Roo spoke, he turned to Cathy, "Still not over it?"
Reflections Villa.
"Fantastic, I’ll have so gowns delivered for you," Louisa exclaid with joy.
"No need, Mom. My walk-in closet is already bursting at the seams. I’ll pick sothing out tomorrow."
"Well, you might want to check with Roo about his outfit. If your colors and styles complent each other, you’ll look like the perfect pair."
Kenneth, lounging on the armchair and glancing up from the evening news, chid in with a chuckle,
"Your mom is hinting that she wants you to flaunt your fiancé at the gala."
"Why put it so bluntly!" Louisa playfully scolded her husband before muttering to herself, "But it’s not a bad idea anyway. Roo’s such a catch; there are plenty of won out there eyeing him. If they see
how well he treats Rose, the sensible ones will back off on their own. As for the rest, Jennifer and I will step in to ward them off one by one."
Rosemary couldn’t help but laugh, "Is Roo going?"
"He usually skips these kinds of events, leaving the McMillian family’s eldest son to make an appearance. But now that your engagent news is out, and he’s been officially invited, I think it’s up to you. If you’re going, he’ll surely attend. You two should definitely wear matching outfits."
"What your mom ans is, give Roo a call. See if he’s going. If he is, you two can ride together. Your mom and I will take another car."
Rosemary nodded, just about to ssage Roo when her phone lit up with a notification. It was Roo, "Rose, are you going to the gala tomorrow night?"
"What about you?" She texted back.
"If you’re going, I’m going."
"Then I’ll pick out a suit for you."
"Great, I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. We can get dressed and head over together."
Rosemary sent back an "OK".
Forena Villa.
After Martin fed Serena, he pushed Serena’s wheelchair into the garden for a stroll.
"These cherry blossoms are beautiful," Serena admired, looking up at the thousands of pink petals above.
Martin plucked a branch with about a dozen blossoms and handed it to her.
"If you like them, I’ll plant more. That way, you can enjoy this view from your window every winter."
Serena’s smile was about to bloom but as if she thought of sothing, suddenly her expression changed.
"Serena??" Martin asked, puzzled.
"Serena, what’s wrong?" Martin noticed sothing was amiss; he looked at her, his voice laden with concern, "Is it your heart?"
"Serena??" Seeing her in such agony, Martin sensed the urgency, "Serena??"
"It hurts." Serena’s voice ca out through clenched teeth, the pain so intense it was nearly unbearable, "Martin, it hurts so much."
"Don’t be afraid. I’m here." Martin quickly took her hands, and raised his gaze to Dr. Leona, "What’s going on? Why is she in so much pain all of a sudden?"
"Sir, the report shows that her levels are way off the charts. I can’t be sure what’s causing it. I recomnd taking her to the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation."
Seeing tears streaming down Serena’s face as she writhed in pain, Martin didn’t hesitate. He scooped her up in his arms, "Get the car ready. We’re heading to the hospital."
On the way, Serena coughed up blood, shocking Martin to his core. He shouted at the driver to step on it.
They reached Hope Hospital in no ti, with Martin sprinting towards the ergency room, carrying Serena in his arms.
Serena had gone into a coma; as the ER doctors took one look at her, they had her rushed into the ICU.
There were various dical instrunts inside, which could constantly monitor vital signs to tell each parater symbolized normality or not. Martin stepped back, utterly perplexed till now about what had
happened.
He had only just fed Serena dinner and taken her for a walk along the estate’s garden paths. How could she have fallen so ill, vomiting blood no less? Could the food have been tampered with?
With this troubling thought, Martin called his staff, ordering a thorough inspection of the evening’s ingredients. He also commanded all servants to remain on the premises. If soone had poisoned Serena, they wouldn’t get away with it.
Martin sat outside the ICU, his mind dragging him back to the night he had brought Serena ho from the Collins family. She had been in critical condition then too, and he had spent an agonizing night on a bench, just like this.
Feeling utterly drained, he suddenly beca aware of a disapproving gaze upon him. Lifting his eyes,he was t with the stern look of his father, Ansel Cooper.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Martin spotted his father sitting on a nearby bench, his sister alongside him, and two bodyguards stationed outside another ICU room.
A sense of foreboding washed over him. He had been so focused on following Serena’s gurney into the ICU that he hadn’t even noticed his own family in the corridor.
"What’s going on?" Martin glanced at his father and sister, but neither responded.
He turned his attention to the bodyguards. One of them spoke up, "Mrs. Cooper saw the news about your wedding announcent. It set off her heart condition. She’s in the ICU now."
Before Martin could even process this information, Ansel stood up and slapped him across the face.
Martin, seeing his sister in such distress, bore the brunt of her anger quietly, asking with genuine concern after a while, "What did the doctors say?"
Diana pushed him away, "Just go. You’re only making Mom worse. She doesn’t want to see you right now!"
"You don’t deserve to be a Cooper; get lost!" Ansel fud, "Get out of my sight!"
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