Rosemary had always resisted taking on the mantle from the old man, leading him on a wild goose chase around the world. Now, he was practically laying down ultimatums to "coerce" her.
"It’s settled. Oh, for Pete’s sake, what’s wrong with this signal now? Can’t ear a darn thing. Alright, that’s it—hanging up."
Perhaps fearing Rosemary would change her mind, Mr. Albright hastily ended the call—not without bragging in the old-tirs’ group chat that Rose would be punctually attending his birthday bash the next day.
> [For real? Don’t you dare pull a fast one on ! Listen here, if you don’t share that bottle of tequila you snagged last ti, I’ll just sit back in my rocking chair, chill, and let your birthday bash be a frosty affair.]
[lIf you give that old coot tequila and don’t let feast my eyes on that luminous pearl you got your hands on last ti, count out!]
> [Call bro just once, admit you’ve lost to in chess, and I might just deign to grace your little shindig with my presence.]
"You should buy lunch for a month."
Seeing each of them making demands, Mr. Albright haughtily replied:
> [Co or don’t—your choice!]
Everyone was montarily unsettled by his response. Could it be that Rose really was going to show up?!
Each year, without fail, Rose had always made ti for their birthday parties, no matter how busy she was.
Even though she now had recognized her own family, they knew deep down she still cared about them.
With that thought, the old guys started changing their tunes.
> [Out of the relationship we’ve shared over the years, I suppose I can make an exception and drop by your birthday dinner tomorrow night.]
> [Just imagine if Rose doesn’t show, and us old buddies stand you up. That’d look pretty bad for you. I’ll be there. At least if no other guests show, you’ll still have to blow out the candles with you.]
> [I’m in too.]
> [If everyone’s going, it’d be rude for not to show up.]
Upon reading this, Mr. Albright, seizing the opportunity, replied:
> [No tequila, no luminous pearl. And you think I’d shout a month of lunches? No chance! Admit I’m not as good as you? In your dreams!]
The group saw his ssage and thought—wow, with Rose coming to the party, the old man’s backbone was suddenly made of steel. His words all toughened up. Just before, he was sighing in the group chat, hinting for them to remind Rose about his birthday.
What a drastic change of attitude!
> [You think we want to co? We’re just worried about what others will talk.]
> [Exactly, you think we want to sing ’Happy Birthday’ for you? So childish, I would never!]
> [I’m just looking to play a couple of chess gas with Warner, and I happen to pass by your place.]
> [I’m coming because my house has a blackout—just need your Wi-Fi for a bit.]
Mr. Albright, unable to hold back, retorted:
> [Tomorrow I’m the star of the show. Rose is coming for . You old fossils better not bother her, especially keep away from the topic of succession—not a single word.]
> [Hey, watch who you’re calling old! I’m a year younger than you! Don’t you ntion it either. Don’t think I don’t know you’re hoping Rose will fulfill your wish by taking on your legacy. You’re just counting on her being dutiful and sensible.]
> [Oh, Mr. Albright, I never thought you were this kind of person. I’ve underestimated you all this ti.]
> [Co on, everyone has a birthday. If you try to blackmail Rose with that, I swear I’ll make a wish at my birthday bash to stop her from taking over your legacy.]
Was it really necessary to be that harsh?!?
anwhile, at the other side.
Serena, paralyzed with fear, hadn’t even co down for lunch. The help had to bring her al to her room.
When Eunice reached the door, she heard from the staff that Serena’s hands were trembling so badly that she could barely hold her cutlery.
She looked like she was still reeling from last night’s ordeal.
"Serena," Eunice knocked on the door and, without waiting for a response, pushed it open. "I’m coming in."
Hearing Eunice’s voice, Serena looked up with anxious eyes and uttered timidly, "Aunt Eunice."
"Still not over it?" Eunice asked as she entered, finding Serena curled up on an armchair, her feet not even daring to touch the floor. The fear in her eyes seed genuine.
"It’s so dark in here. Why don’t you let so sunshine in?" Eunice walked over to the window and drew back the curtains.
The sound of the curtains sliding sent a shiver through Serena, and as the sunlight stread in, she squinted—finding it almost blinding and unreal.
Eunice sat down on the sofa opposite her and, noticing the untouched al on the table, asked casually, "Not hungry?"
"Yeah." Serena just hugged her knees tighter, her long hair cascading down and framing her overtly startled face.
"What’s up with the kitchen staff? Knowing you had such a scare last night, yet they cooked up this bloody ss. Blood sausage—and what’s with the black sesa seeds sprinkled on these egg whites? They look like dead n’s eyeballs."
At the sight, Serena’s fear intensified.
Eunice watched her reaction and continued, "Serena, tell , do people die with their eyes open or closed?"
Serena looked at Eunice, alard. "Aunt Eunice, I don’t understand what you an by that."
"Nothing. Just making conversation. It’s just that I happened to notice these eyeballs—oh, I an these egg whites. Don’t overthink it," Eunice smiled gently and sweetly.
But Serena couldn’t bear to look any longer.
"Serena, dear, if you rember anything about last night, you let know," Eunice spoke softly. "I’ve had people looking into it, but no leads so far. You know I don’t take kindly to threats. Rember when you were a kid and soone pulled your hair and pushed you down? I gave that bully a piece of my mind. You know my temperant."
Serena eyed the stylish woman with the short hair and red lips. Her voice was soft, her smile beautiful, but Serena could sense an underlying warning in her words.
"In business, I’m the sa way. I’m willing to give my competitors a chance, but if they don’t appreciate it—well, let’s just say they won’t get a second one." Eunice’s smile grew even more enchanting.
Yet Serena dared not et her eyes.
"I’ve said before, Rose finally ca back to this family, and I just want to make things right for her. She nearly had an accident on my turf. Soone tried to have her killed. If I find out who’s behind it, what do you think I should do? Expose their deeds for all to see, let them rot in jail for life—or maybe just chop them up and feed them to the fish?"
Serena couldn’t quite fathom the woman before her. She was the epito of elegance and intellect, but her words sent chills down Serena’s spine.
"Serena, you’ve been at Dawnstar for a while now, and we haven’t had a proper sit-down chat. You’re leaving soon. Is there anything you’d like to tell ?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)