"On my turf, no one can ss with my niece. I’m gonna make sure everyone knows that the Ar-Bl-Clear Group is under the Griffith Group’s wing. Anyone who crosses her, crosses us."
As Eunice spoke, she patted Rosemary’s back with a reassuring smile.
"I’ll give your uncle a buzz, tell him to co ho for dinner—roll out the red carpet for Roo."
"Isn’t Uncle Bard supposed to have a eting tonight?" Rosemary recalled her uncle ntioning a work commitnt and not planning to return for dinner.
She wanted to say that it wasn’t a big deal—just dinner. No need for all the fuss.
But Eunice uttered,
"etings ain’t as important as Roo. Tonight, we’re gonna treat him like royalty—all of us together!"
As for Martin...
Eunice’s mind drifted back to the last ti Serena got plastered and took a swing at Martin Cooper.
She wondered if Serena ever properly apologized.
The thought of Serena possibly slipping sothing into Rosemary’s drink to embarrass her made Eunice’s blood boil.
"Let’s invite Martin so other ti. Tonight, it’s just Roo."
Having said her piece, she went off to make the call.
Then, the maid approached with news.
"Miss Collins, Mr. McMillian has arrived—and he’s brought a bunch of presents."
Rosemary hadn’t expected Roo to be late just because he was picking out gifts.
Seeing him arrive, arms laden with offerings, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Is all this necessary?"
Roo always went overboard with gifts; his intentions couldn’t be more transparent.
Grinning, Roo asked,
"Did they like the last gifts I brought?"
But soone beat her to the punch.
"Loved them! They absolutely loved the gifts you brought last ti. Grandma, Grandpa, your aunt, and uncle were all thrilled."
Hearing this, Roo and Rosemary turned to see Darren, beaming, striding toward them.
"But those gifts were too extravagant. It just doesn’t sit right with . And now you’ve brought even more?
No, no—after we eat, you’ll have to take these back with you!"
Darren set the gifts on the coffee table before clapping Roo on the back in appreciation.
"Good job, kid. Looking solid. Do you work out regularly?"
Roo glanced at Rosemary affectionately before nodding.
"Yes."
He wanted to make sure Rosemary felt secure. So no matter how busy he was, he always found ti for the gym.
Darren looked him over approvingly.
"Have a seat, have a seat. You youngsters must enjoy coffee, right? I’ll ask them to bring our finest brew."
"I’ll have whatever Rose’s having. I’ve switched to lemonade and tea these days."
"Good choices! I’m a fan of drinking tea also. Lemonade’s too sour for my teeth."
Darren chuckled.
"Let’s get the best tea we have."
"Thank you, Grandpa Darren, for the hospitality."
"Thank ? We’re family." Darren said, contentedly eyeing Roo.
"You’ve t Rose’s folks, right?"
Roo nodded.
"I have."
"I didn’t catch wind of you two dating before—" Darren was cut short as Belinda walked in from the kitchen, joining in.
"You were bedridden. Even if they ntioned it, you wouldn’t have heard."
When Roo saw her, he politely stood up to greet her.
"Grandma Belinda."
"Roo’s here? Have a seat, make yourself at ho!"
Belinda bead with warmth.
"I caught the news today. That ss at the Ar-Bl-Clear Group, and you were the first on the scene. You’re such a hero."
Hidden on the second floor, Serena watched as her grandparents fussed over Roo—bringing him tea and pastries—clearly over the moon with their grandson-in-law.
Serena couldn’t help but clench her fist in frustration.
Was all this really necessary?
Her aunt was so blatantly biased, inviting Roo over for dinner but not Martin! Was it just because she thought Martin wasn’t graceful enough to sit with them?
With these thoughts swirling, she covertly snapped a photo of the scene and sent it to Martin.
[Seeing this just makes feel sour. Aunt Belinda invited Roo for dinner. I wish she’d invite you too. Maybe because I’m not a true Collins by blood, they don’t pay much mind, and that’s spilling over to you. Martin, when will we ever get so respect from this family?]
Her ssage was loaded with implications.
It was as though Eunice didn’t value Serena, and thought Martin wasn’t good enough—intentionally excluding him.
Martin quickly replied:
[It’s my fault for not making more money, for not being able to hold my head high in front of your family. Before I was too proud, too arrogant, thinking that making money by myself would be enough to provide a good life for you. I see now that was naive. From now on, I’ll seize every opportunity to give you the life you deserve.]
Serena felt a twinge of irritation reading his words.
No matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t surpass Roo in just a few months.
Still, she pretended to be encouraging:
[No, I need to talk to Aunt Belinda about this and try to get you invited over for dinner!]
[It’s alright, Serena. Your aunt can invite whenever she finds it appropriate. It doesn’t have to be today.]
Martin didn’t want her getting into a family squabble over him. After not hearing back from her for a while, he texted again:
[Serena, please don’t. Just listen to .]
Serena left him hanging for a long ti.
Eventually, she sent a crying emoji, lanting:
[Aunt Belinda said tonight’s dinner is just for Roo. I raised so objections, and she snapped back saying she’ll invite whoever she wants into her ho.]
Martin couldn’t help but call her, his voice filled with concern.
"It’s okay, Serena. The fact that you even spoke to your aunt about it ans so much to . I’m touched. I’m just not there yet, but I promise I’ll work harder to win their approval. Don’t upset yourself."
"Uncle Bard just arrived," Serena whispered as she saw Bard return, greeting Roo with utmost civility.
"He’s praising Roo, saying how relieved they are to have soone so capable for my sister. I bet it’s because Roo brought another fancy gift!"
Serena said it with a pout, trying to hint that Martin should step up his gift ga next ti to outshine Roo.
But Martin counseled,
"Serena, your uncle’s a wise man. He wouldn’t heap praise on Roo just for so gifts. There must be sothing about him. Don’t be upset. I assure you, I’ll work even harder to gain their respect."
Serena pouted, pretending to be moved—but inwardly, she was full of disdain.
Promises for the future... who knew how long that would take?
She quickly found an excuse to hang up and retreated to her spying post on the second floor.
Every so often, Roo’s gaze would drift to Rosemary, filled with adoration and affection—
and Serena watched, filled with both envy and jealousy.
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