Upon Louisa’s departure upstairs, a few girls lounged in the garden, basking in the sun and splashing in the water feature, snapping plenty of beautiful photos.
"Each visit is more impressive than the last. It’s far more beautiful than our hos."
"Later, how about we ask Serena to give us a tour of her walk-in wardrobe? Maybe she has so unworn clothes or handbags that she’d be willing to gift us."
"Sounds great! Let’s do it."
At that mont, a car pulled up outside the mansion.
Roo stepped out, opening the car door for Rosemary. "Do we have visitors today?"
Rosemary glanced at the luxury cars parked at the entrance, with drivers waiting inside. "It appears so."
"I’ll stay with you in the garden for a bit and then leave."
Roo was hesitant to enter the main hall with so many guests inside, yet he was reluctant to part from Rosemary so soon. Seeing a white circular table in the garden surrounded by chairs, he pulled one out for Rosemary.
"When you have so free ti, co visit my mother. She just ntioned on WhatsApp, insisting I invite you over soon."
"Maybe in a few days," Rosemary smiled. "Your mother has also ntioned it to ."
On the other side of the mansion...
Louisa descended the stairs after changing her clothes. Just as she reached the last step, her vision darkened, and she felt faint.
"Madam, are you okay?" Edith rushed forward to support her.
After a mont, Louisa collected herself and focused on Edith. "I’m fine, probably just haven’t rested well these past few days."
The Temple family had been going through a rough ti. She and Kenneth had been at the hospital with Alger and Celeste, fearing they would do sothing irrational.
Today, Kenneth suggested she co ho to shower and rest a bit, but she did not expect to suddenly feel faint.
"Thank God you were here to catch ," Louisa said, leaning on Edith. "Otherwise, I would have hit the floor."
The consequences would have been unthinkable.
"Madam, you and Sir haven’t been ho to rest for the past few days. You both look extrely worn out. What happened?"
"Alas, life can be so unpredictable," Louisa sighed, unsure of where to start.
Edith tactfully refrained from asking further. "Shall I help you back to your room to rest?"
"No, Serena is still napping. Her friends have co over. I should go and attend to them," Louisa insisted.
"With your current state, how can you entertain them?" Edith kindly suggested. "They are all young girls. With you around, they might feel uncomfortable. Let serve them so coffee and snacks. Serena should be waking up soon. She can keep them company. You should go rest—your health is important."
"That makes sense." Louisa considered. Realizing that the girls might not relax if she was around, she instructed Edith, "Prepare plenty of coffee and snacks for them, and invite them to stay for dinner later."
"Alright, no problem."
After seeing Louisa back to her master bedroom, Edith instructed the staff to prepare refreshnts, which she personally brought to the garden. To her surprise, she spotted Roo and Rosemary from a distance and hurriedly walked over to them.
"Mr. McMillian, Ms. Rose, when did you two get back? Please have so refreshnts."
She served them first, then refilled the tray and proceeded to the group of girls.
"Edith, you are spoiling us with all these delicious snacks. Thank you so much!"
"Edith, long ti no see. You look even younger now."
A gaggle of girls surrounded Edith, showering her with complints. Edith, all smiles, returned a few kind words before making her exit.
As the girls prepared to snap so photos for Facebook, Christine chid in, "There’s a lovely corner of Serena’s garden filled with exquisite flowers and plants. Plus, there’s a swing and so bespoke garden furniture. Should we take our pictures there instead?"
The idea was obviously appealing, promising an air of elegance and class.
"Sounds good!" The girls, clutching their food and drinks, began to head to the designated area when they spotted Roo and Rosemary sitting together, engaged in a seemingly intimate conversation.
"Who’s that girl? And what is she doing in Serena’s garden?"
"Isn’t Roo engaged to Serena? Why is he chatting with another girl in the Collins family’s garden? What’s happening?"
"Can soone explain this to ?"
At that mont, Sylvia, who had been quietly observing, let out a sigh. "Oh, Roo, why the drama! Serena’s taking a nap. She can’t see any of this!"
"Sylvia, do you know sothing?"
"Your tone suggests there’s more to the story."
"Spill it, Sylvia. What’s going on with Roo and Serena?"
"Why the silence? Aren’t we friends?"
"Sylvia, we’ve been through thick and thin together. You’re not keeping secrets from us, are you?"
Cornered by the group’s pleas, Sylvia finally spilled the beans.
"What? So Roo’s cozying up with this girl in the Collins family’s garden to make Serena jealous and win her back? That’s incredibly romantic."
The girls couldn’t help but be moved. Where could they find such a man?
He was young, handso, affluent, and yet so dedicated in love.
"Shh, don’t say I told you. Serena will be mad if she finds out I’ve been talking. She’s napping right now, so she can’t see Roo’s efforts. Maybe I should record a video and send it to her."
"Absolutely, she needs to see this. Who in their right mind would reject the wealthiest bachelor for Martin, who’s clearly inferior in every way?"
"Sylvia, play dumb about knowing the situation. She only confided in you. Try to talk so sense into her."
Sylvia nodded in agreent, surreptitiously recorded a video on her phone and sent it to Serena before turning back to the others.
"Is it good?" Roo asked Rosemary, eyeing the juice in her hand.
Rosemary saw right through him. He just wanted to share her drink, didn’t he?
She took a sip before leisurely responding, "It’s not good. Don’t bother trying it."
"I’m even more curious to taste how bad it is now."
Seeing that he was insistent, Rosemary handed him the juice. Roo took a satisfying gulp.
"Anything that passes through your hands, no matter how bad, becos sweet."
Rosemary picked up a pastry, and Roo expressed interest in trying it. This ti, she brought it directly to his lips.
"This girl is way too forward! How dare she flirt so openly with Serena’s fiancé, on Serena’s property?"
"How audacious!"
"She must be under the illusion that Roo is genuinely interested in her!"
"Roo is rely using her to provoke Serena, hoping to win her back. This girl can’t possibly believe she has so extraordinary allure, can she?"
"Compared to Serena, this girl has nothing going for her but her slightly above-average looks."
"Exactly!"
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