Who would’ve thought that for the sake of Rosemary, Roo would even get the Shadow Council involved?
This was definitely true love.
The following morning, Serena was surprised to find two delivery n standing at her front door. After inquiring, she found out that Clark and Roo had purchased a bunch of items for Rosemary the previous night, amounting to a whopping six large boxes—each one bearing the logo of a well-known boutique.
Serena was familiar with the prices at this boutique. Even a simple hairpin could cost several dozen dollars, due to its unique design and girly charm. It was no surprise that many of her friends liked to shop there.
While it was natural for Roo, Rosemary’s fiancé, to occasionally shower her with small gifts, Serena couldn’t comprehend why Clark would buy Rosemary so many items.
This amount, coupled with the eighteen gifts Clark had given Rosemary when he last ca ho, exceeded the number of presents Serena had received from Clark over the years.
Feeling a surge of resentnt, Serena headed to the dining area, where she saw Clark fussing over Rosemary. Her feelings of jealousy intensified.
"Serena, you’re awake. Here, have so milk," Clark said, pouring a glass of milk for her as he saw her enter the room, his face beaming with a smile.
"Clark, I don’t feel like having milk today," Serena responded, sitting down with a dejected expression.
"Do you want a sandwich? Maybe with so grated cheese, like old tis?"
"No, Clark. I’d rather have so porridge."
Sensing Serena’s gloom, Rosemary looked up from her al. In her eyes, Rosemary saw hostility.
"What’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well?" Clark asked, serving Serena a bowl of oatal and placing it in front of her. "Who upset you?"
Serena remained silent, eating her oatal.
"Girls can be so hard to figure out," Clark said, smiling as he went to serve Rosemary another bowl. "Eat up, Rose."
Rosemary’s phone buzzed in the middle of breakfast. It was a video call invitation from her grandfather.
"Grandpa."
"Good morning, Rose. Are you having breakfast? Why do you always get up so early?"
On the other side of the video, Bernard, her grandfather, was smiling cheerfully with a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose. "Your grandma and I should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Can you co pick us up?"
"Sure," Rosemary responded gently. "I’ll be there to pick you both up tomorrow."
"Great, we’ll be waiting for you. Let your parents know, but if they’re busy, you can co alone."
Rosemary smiled. "Alright."
"Last night, I went through my phone’s photo album and finally found so landscape paintings I drew. They were inspired by your works. I’ve sent them to your WhatsApp. Have a look and feel free to critique."
"Okay."
"Well, finish your breakfast first. We’ll talk later."
As Bernard was ending the call, Cornelia said, "Don’t keep texting and calling Rose all the ti. Let her enjoy her vacation."
"I just want to chat with her."
"Make sure she checks the pocket money I sent."
Bernard then said to Rosemary, "Rose, your grandma said she sent you so pocket money. Make sure you collect it. And about the pocket money I transferred to you last night—do you think it’s not enough?"
"No, Grandpa. I have my own money. It’s enough."
"That’s your money. This is a token of love from your grandma and . You must accept it. If you don’t, it would an you’re being formal with us."
Considering Serena was present, Rosemary could only respond, "Okay."
"Don’t forget to check, alright?"
After ending the video call, Rosemary resud her breakfast.
Sitting across from her, Serena’s mood took a deeper dive. She hadn’t expected her grandparents to be so dependent on—and indulgent toward—Rosemary.
They even transferred her pocket money!
Every ti Rosemary’s phone vibrated, Serena couldn’t help but glance at it, curious to know how much her grandparents had transferred and what secrets they were sharing with her.
With her slender fingers, Rosemary was comnting on her grandfather’s work.
Serena’s dissatisfaction grew. Was there really a need to act so busy while just having breakfast?
Clark noticed Serena’s sullen expression and texted her:
[Rose just got ho. It’s normal for grandparents to give her a bit of allowance. They’ve always given you plenty too.]
If this had been any other day, Serena would have felt ashad after reading this. But today, she couldn’t help responding:
[You always take sides, Clark.]
[How am I taking sides?] Clark was puzzled, not knowing what he had done wrong.
[Why can’t you all just be honest and tell you don’t like anymore? Isn’t it tiring to keep pretending every day?]
After sending this ssage, Serena stood up. [I’m full.]
She threw her spoon back into her bowl with a huff, not caring about the etiquette of a lady, and stomped off.
"Hey, Serena." Clark started to get up to follow her, but his phone vibrated. It was a ssage from Roo:
[I’m here.]
Clark had to say, "Rose, Roo’s at the door. I’ll go get so food and drinks ready. Take your ti eating—don’t rush, and make sure you eat plenty."
Serena ran upstairs and waited, but Clark never ca up to cheer her up.
Hmph, he was just pretending!
He’d promised to treat her like a sister, yet he bought so many things for Rosemary and hovered around her like a nanny!
Had Rosemary ever given him a second glance?
He didn’t even buy her a small gift last night—not even a hairpin!
At this mont, Martha, who had noticed the commotion, slowly walked upstairs and asked with concern, "Serena, are you crying?"
"I’m not." Serena wiped her tears away, still in a huff.
"Look outside."
Serena didn’t understand what was so interesting outside. When she looked, she saw Clark with a backpack, opening the car door for Rosemary. It looked like they were about to go out and have fun with Roo.
"You’re up here crying, and they’re all happy—about to walk the glass skywalk. What does that tell you? Clark doesn’t care about your feelings."
Serena’s jealousy flared uncontrollably.
"Do you know what the maid found when she cleaned Ms. Rose’s room this morning?"
"What?" Serena asked, huffily.
"Clark’s personal black card, right on Ms. Rose’s desk. What does that tell you? Clark has given his personal black card to Ms. Rose!"
Martha added fuel to the fire. "Has Clark ever done that for you?"
Hearing this, Serena felt even worse.
"Never mind how much Clark earns each year—just his monthly dividends from the Collins Group are more than he can spend. And it’s all for Ms. Rose! Serena, they are real siblings. There’s a difference between you and a stranger with no blood relation."
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