Martin could only co to the hospital’s terrace, straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of his father and sister through the distance. In two separate ICU rooms on this floor lay the two people he cherished
most.
The following evening, the annual charity gala was the talk of the town, which was held at the five-star Sumrfield Hotel.
When Roo’s car pulled up, the press sward like bees to honey. Without the dozens of security personnel maintaining order, they would have surely broken through the velvet ropes to cluster around
Roo.
Roo stepped out looking as dashing as ever, the cut of his suit making him appear as if he’d stepped right out of a graphic novel with his sharp brows and starry eyes.
The mont he opened the car door and held Rosemary’s hand, the paparazzi’s flashes went into overdrive. Their matching designer outfits - clearly the work of Maestro Stylish - scread couple goals.
They were set to be the talk of the evening.
Reporters went live as Roo’s hand found Rosemary’s slender waist, the pair making a grand entrance into the hotel.
Trailing behind them, Kenneth and Louisa greeted the crowd with beaming smiles, exuding warmth and charisma.
anwhile, Serena had just opened her eyes on the hospital bed when Dora exclaid with joy,
"Serena, you’re finally awake."
Lifting her heavy eyelids, Serena’s voice ca out hoarse and weak, "Where am I?"
"In the ICU."
It was a high-class hospital room equipped with enough dical facilities for constant monitoring, ready for imdiate dical intervention if the patient’s condition worsened.
"Mr. Cooper went to speak with the doctor about your condition; he’ll be back soon. Are you feeling any better?" Dora asked with concern.
Serena’s face was ashen, and pain shot through her at intervals, leaving her to whisper feebly, "It still hurts. Did the doctors say what caused it?"
Dora shook her head, "A couple of doctors have already examined you, but none can pinpoint the cause. Mr. Cooper even had last night’s dinner checked - no issues with the food. All the staff’s alibis check out, no motives, no opportunities. Nobody seems to have hard you."
What in the world was happening then? Neither Dora nor Serena could understand it.
Serena closed her eyes feebly, only to open them again monts later, "Call the nurse, I need painkillers."
The pain was unbearable.
She fumbled with the remote, and the screen lit up with live coverage of tonight’s charity gala.
Serena saw Roo and Rosemary’s grand appearance, the lavish setting, the press camping out, and Kenneth and Louisa waving affectionately at the caras, her heart twisting in agony, a suffocating feeling creeping over her. Reаd at Serena couldn’t hold back any longer; a gush of blood spilled from her lips.
At the gala.
Harriet watched, seething, as Rosemary decently stood by Roo’s side, guests flocking to them, who were eager to rub elbows with them.
They looked like an ideal couple, a perfect pair, their very presence enough to make anyone green with envy.
Finally, Rosemary was alone, and Harriet’s eyes glead with a vengeful spark, "Dad, I saw the person who hit !"
"Lead the way." Addison said, setting his drink aside and rising with anger in his voice, "I want to see who had the nerve to lay a hand on you."
As Harriet led the way, they neared Rosemary. Suddenly, Addison’s voice rose with excitent, "At last, I find you here!"
Harriet looked on, stunned as her normally haughty father now treated Rosemary with the utmost politeness and respect, bending at the waist to shake her hand. Rosemary returned the gesture with a
familiar smile, as though greeting an old friend.
"Bart Monroe, it’s been ages," Rosemary greeted Addison.
"I was thrilled to learn from our call last night that you’d be attending tonight’s ball. I cleared my schedule just to see you, and I’m overjoyed that we’ve t." The joy and gratitude were unmistakable in Addison’s eyes, "You’ve been busy, and I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you. After all you’ve been through recently, I haven’t been of much help, but I want you to know, if there’s anything I can do for you, just say the word."
Harriet was dumbfounded. When had Rosemary beco her father’s savior? She had no clue.
"Bart, you’ve already been a great help," Rosemary said with a gentle tone.
"That’s nothing. Should you ever need anything, even if I’m on my last breath, I will pay you back!"
"But, Dad." Harriet couldn’t help but interject.
"Show so respect! This is Rosemary, the Earwood family’s friend. She saved your grandfather’s life,and mine too. You’re a few months younger than Rosemary, so you should take her as your sister."
Sister? Considered Rose as her sister?
Addison chuckled and introduced Harriet to Rosemary, "This is my daughter Harriet, recently returned from abroad."
Rosemary’s lips curled in amusent, "We t yesterday."
So this was Addison’s daughter? She had heard he ntioned his daughter, but had no idea it was Harriet.
"Oh? Do you know each other???" Addison was a bit surprised.
At the ti, Roo, having finished his conversation with the guests, approached them, "Bart,business must be good these days."
Addison gestured humbly with his little finger.
"A check?" Addison turned perplexed to his daughter, "Why did you give Rosemary a check?"
"Dammit!" Addison slapped his daughter on the shoulder. He restrained himself from striking her face, mindful of the many guests present.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? The two McMillian families are flesh and blood, kin through and through. Who are you to stir up strife? And what’s this about buying affection? Are you trying to ddle in their relationship?"
Addison’s furious voice drew the attention of a few guests, and Harriet wished she could just disappear.
To think, her father, who had never so much as raised his voice to her, was now making a public spectacle for the sake of Rosemary and at the expense of the Earwood family’s reputation.
"Dad, can you please keep it down," Harriet pleaded, acutely aware of the judgntal gazes piercing her.
"Now you care about dignity? What were you thinking before? I sent you overseas to study, to learn sothing worthwhile, not to co back and wreck other people’s relationships! The McMillian family and the Collins family have an engagent, and you want to stick your nose in? Have you lost your mind?"
"Dad!" Harriet was frantic, her father’s voice was too loud, everyone could hear them, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and hide.
Addison, fuming, made a phone call, "Co here and take Ms. Monroe ho."
After hanging up, he turned back to Harriet, furious, "We’ll deal with it until we get ho!"
"Dad, she hit too!!" Harriet tried to explain that the bruises on her face and neck from last night were Rosemary’s doing.
Addison cut her off, "And deservedly so! You’re trying to break up a couple, causing discord within the McMillian family. You’re lucky you didn’t end up with broken bones!"
He then looked apologetically at Rosemary, "I’m truly sorry. I’ve failed to raise her properly, and you had to step in."
He had thought the marks on his daughter’s face and neck were from a man, never imagining they were from Rosemary.
Having seen Rosemary handle troublemakers before, he knew her strength, her ferocity. And yet, she had been gentle with his daughter.
"Count yourself lucky she didn’t do worse! And apologize to Rosemary, Roo, and Cathy this instant!"
Addison hissed at his daughter.
"Dad," Harriet had never been so mortified in her life.
"It’s fine," Rosemary and the others said in unison, seemingly indifferent to formalities.
Addison’s face was a mask of regret as he turned to Rosemary, "Thank you for sparing my unworthy daughter last night. I’ll see to her discipline when we get ho."
"Let’s not dwell on it, Bart. Don’t be upset; it’s bad for your health," Rosemary understood his ways. Once ho, Harriet would no doubt face consequences.
At that mont, the security appeared, offering a hand, "Ms. Monroe, please."
Harriet, utterly embarrassed, quickly left with her head down.
Rosemary nodded, trusting his word. He did this not to repay a favor but to uphold the Earwood family’s reputation and values, which did not condone ddling in others’ affairs.
"Rose, what happened?" Louisa approached, noticing Addison’s departure and her daughter’s.
"Nothing," Rosemary didn’t tell her mother what happened, not wanting to worry her.
Louisa knew her daughter was the founder of LY, which dealt not only in fashion but also in jewelry.
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