"What on earth was Serena doing in the basent?" Darren couldn’t help but ask.
"Probably heard so noise, or caught one of the staff gossiping. You know how curious she is. Wanted to check it out for herself. Bard already gave those chatterboxes a good talking-to."
Eunice gently rubbed Darren’s back, careful not to rile him further.
Darren finally eased up a bit, no longer as stiff as he had been monts ago.
"No wonder the poor girl had nightmares last night," Darren mumbled with newfound clarity. "She’s never been exposed to anything like that, and those folks locked up in the basent must’ve scared her witless."
He rembered how Serena had curled up in a corner of the study the previous night, crying pitifully. She must have been terrified!
"I should talk to her grandma, have her comfort Serena. Help her forget all this sooner rather than later."
As Darren spoke, a light bulb went off in his head.
"Why not have her and Rose head back ho first? The holidays are just around the corner. They can go ahead, and we’ll join them at Reflections Villa for a reunion once your mom and I are back in fighting shape."
Eunice looked at him, speechless. Was he sure he’s all better now?
Who was it that nearly had a heart attack just a while ago??
"You’ve got a whole ss of trouble locked up in that basent; just make sure Rose doesn’t see," Darren expressed his concern.
Even though Rose had already seen the extent of his siblings’ cruelty in the hospital—the ruthless killing of so many people—such bloody and brutal scenes were best avoided, especially for a teenager like Rose.
If Darren knew that Rose was the leader and had seen such horrific scenes hundreds of tis, he’d probably worry his heart out even more.
Eunice had only learned of Rose’s capabilities through stories Bard had told her. The way Rose had orchestrated things to expose Calvin and Arlen and others made her realize the girl was extraordinary.
And when her husband revealed that Rose was Mr. Bryant, Eunice saw her in a whole new light.
"That settles it then. Let’s have them go back to the States. This way, Roo and Martin can get back to business there. They can get a head start on work and enjoy the holidays together without having to revolve around the girls, putting off their responsibilities."
Darren thought it was an excellent plan and nodded in agreent, ready to discuss it with his better half.
Eunice glanced at Bard, a tad worried. If Serena was involved in all this, sending her back would be like freeing the tiger back into the wild.
Bard, sensing her thoughts, reassured her.
"Right now, she’s all tears and no talk. If it really is her, and she clams up, denying everything, we’ve got no evidence. We’d have to let her go either way, right?"
They couldn’t very well lock up a girl they’d cherished for eighteen years and subject her to a barrage of interrogations, could they?
Besides, Serena’s life had always been sheltered, untainted. Given her strength, courage, and connections, it seed unlikely she’d be involved in any foul play.
Just then, Bard’s phone buzzed. After taking the call, he turned to Eunice and said:
"Rose’s start-up, the Ar-Bl-Clear Group, has just topped the charts, surpassing all the major brands. Their skincare line is now ranked number one."
Perhaps it was due to the sar campaign that had inadvertently catapulted the Ar-Bl-Clear Group into the lilight, but now the brand was comfortably sitting at the top of the charts.
"Really?" Eunice was genuinely thrilled for Rosemary. That girl had put in so much effort; she deserved every bit of success!
"KT’s online flagship store got hamred with negative reviews, and all their products were pulled from the shelves. Before long, the store was shuttered, and the KT folks involved are now in police custody."
As Bard shared the news, he suddenly shot a look at Eunice.
Realization dawned on her, and she voiced the thought they were both thinking.
"The one who tried to tarnish the Ar-Bl-Clear Group wasn’t KT. Whoever set them up as the fall guy must be no small fry. Could be the sa mastermind who hired the hitman!"
Even though the lead in the basent had gone cold, they could still follow the KT thread!
"I was thinking the sa," Bard said, exchanging a knowing smile with his wife. They always seed to read each other’s minds.
Eunice grinned back, determined as ever.
Before long, she vowed to unearth the culprit and get revenge for her darling niece!
anwhile, Rosemary’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Grandpa Eugene.
"Humph, you heartless girl!" the old man feigned anger through the phone. "I bet if I hadn’t called, you’d have completely forgotten what day tomorrow is!"
It suddenly hit Rosemary: tomorrow was his birthday.
"I’ve already received a heap of birthday wishes, and here you are, silent as a mouse."
Ever since their last eting at school, she had been off the radar—not even popping up in their old-tirs’ chat group. It was as if she had vanished off the face of the earth.
"Have you forgotten us all?"
This year marked his 60th, and he planned to celebrate big, but she hadn’t been in touch.
He had already reminded her: if she didn’t show up to his birthday bash, he’d be livid, and a couple of sweet words wouldn’t cut it. The consequences would be dire.
Yet, she seed to take it lightly!
The most irritating part was that the other old geezers, who could’ve reminded her these past few days, chose not to—just to watch him fret.
Now, with it being past four in the afternoon back ho, he couldn’t contain his impatience and had to call her himself.
Rosemary couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Grandpa, I didn’t forget. I’ve just been swamped lately and neglected you. I’ll be there on ti tomorrow, I promise."
"Humph!" Mr. Eugene sulked like a child. "Bad connection, can’t hear you."
"Oh, then never mind, I didn’t say anything important."
"Hey, you trying to back out now? Don’t think I’m old and deaf. I heard you clear as day. You said you’ll be here on ti tomorrow." Mr. Albright caught himself mid-sentence, realizing he’d been played by his granddaughter.
Rosemary let out a laugh.
Hearing her delightful laughter, Mr. Albright tried to stay stern, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him with a smile.
"You little rascal, ever heard of respecting your elders? Can’t let your grandpa win just once, can you?"
Mr. Albright’s voice ward with affection.
"Alright, it’s settled then. You better show up tomorrow! Otherwise, I’m calling a press conference to announce you’re taking over my legacy!"
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