"I’ve already had Serena move to the condo next door to reflect on her actions. After the holidays, we’ll ask her to leave our ho for good."
Louisa’s words caught Rosemary off guard. Was Mom really ready to kick Serena out?
"Eighteen years ago, we mistakenly brought ho the wrong child, raising her as our own daughter. To say we felt no affection would be a lie, but after hearing about her antics, we are truly disheartened."
Louisa patted Rosemary on the back, "In about a week or so, when everyone’s gathered, your true identity will be revealed, and everyone will know that you are our real daughter. As for Serena, she
never appreciated what she had, so there’s no point in her staying."
"Absolutely, let her leave," Kenneth agreed, feeling the sa.
"Do you really want to let her go?" Rosemary asked.
Louisa smiled and explained, "It’s been eighteen years, so to say we can let go completely would be deceiving you. But the way she struts around you, acting all high and mighty, that’s sothing we can’t
stand. You are our real daughter, and she has no clue. To think, after eighteen years, it turns out we’ve been nurturing an ingrate."
If Serena could find her place and be grateful, there would be room for her in this family. But her jealousy blinded her.
"Our original plan was to take you on a trip, but we’re not sure if you’ll have ti over the holidays."
Kenneth longed for so quality ti with his daughter, but ever since she returned ho, she was either at school, managing her own ventures, or out on dates with Roo.
The ti left for them was scarce.
Aside from sending ssages to check on her, welcoming her ho, cooking her favorite als, giving her massages, providing spending money, and customizing clothes and accessories for her, they really didn’t know what else they could do for their daughter.
"Rose, if there’s anything we’re not doing right, you must tell us," Kenneth said, looking at his daughter with hope. "We want to improve and make you feel the warmth of this ho."
"You’re already doing so much," Rosemary reassured them. "I should have so ti in about ten days to go out with you. As for Serena, you make the call. I’ve got so work to finish up, so I’ll head upstairs."
Rosemary patted Louisa’s back and released the hug, "You guys should get so sleep."
She needed to finish up the paperwork tonight so she could make it to David’s concert tomorrow.
"Rose, can you handle all that work alone? What kind of docunts are they? I can help you out. I’ve been running the company for years and have so experience." Kenneth offered, raising his voice as he watched his daughter ascend the stairs, "I can handle reports, no problem."
"I can help too. What work haven’t you finished? Let help you."
"No need, you two should rest." Rosemary went upstairs, turned on the desk lamp, and her phone suddenly buzzed.
[Headed to bed?]
It was Roo.
[Almost,] Rosemary replied and then added, [Mom and Dad moved Serena to the condo next door.]
[Did they finally catch on to her little sches? Congratulations, you’ll finally be free of her drama.]
[Do I detect a hint of pleasure in your text?] Rosemary noticed he seed a bit too happy about it.]
[If she were to be kicked out entirely, I’d be even happier. I’d have to buy a bunch of firecrackers and set them off at your doorstep to celebrate.]
[Rosemary couldn’t help but laugh, [Just don’t blow up my house.]
[As if I could! If anything, I’d only want to blow her away.]
[The concert is at seven tomorrow night, can you pick up at six-thirty?]
[Alright,] Roo queried, [you hitting the sack yet?]
[Just wrapping up so stuff.]
Without missing a beat, Roo shot her a video call. Rosemary was taken aback but tapped ’Accept’.
"I’ll keep you company." He kept the video running, watching her work in silence, not wanting to break her concentration.
Rosemary propped her phone against a tissue box, flipping through her files, scanning each page ticulously.
Roo admired her from the other side of the screen, her eyelashes fluttering lightly with focus, her well-defined nose, clear eyes, and striking features. She was breathtaking, to say the least.
"Livestreaming’s all the rage lately. My crew’s thinking of getting so big-na strears to help push this season’s line, says it’ll move faster than the usual."
No sooner had Rosemary finished speaking than Roo chid in, "True that. Last ti McMllian Corporation had a bunch of overstocked watches—pricey and outdated. Couldn’t move ’em in stores,
but the strears sold them out."
"Are they asking for a salary of a hundred grand per hour plus a 10% commission?"
"Depends on the strear. Duration, product type, even the size of the partnering firm—all factor into their rates. I’ll have Carl shoot their rate card over to you, so you’ve got a ballpark for your first hire."
"Is it alright for to see your internal stuff?"
"Of course." Roo quickly pinged Carl.
In no ti, Carl emailed Rosemary the strears’ rate card and even shared so haggling tips.
A little while later, Louisa knocked on the door, "Rose, you asleep? Mom sent over so snacks."
"Just co in." Rosemary’s gaze didn’t stray from her docunts for even a second.
"I made you so soup. Roo?" Louisa’s eyes widened at the sight of the handso face on her daughter’s phone. Were they video chatting? Had she interrupted sothing?
"Mrs. Collins, still up this late?" Roo’s voice was warm and polite. "And you brought Rose so food. That’s really kind of you."
Louisa was montarily flustered, "Ah, yes, I thought Rose might need a break from work. Are you keeping her company remotely?"
"That’s right."
"Sweet boy, I appreciate that. Well, you two carry on. I’ll leave you to it." Heartened to see her daughter wasn’t alone, even in work, Louisa quickly exited.
"Eat it while it’s hot, don’t let it get cold," Roo urged.
"Let it sit for a bit." Rosemary reviewed the financial report one more ti, spotting a decimal error made by her team—a close call but caught just in ti.
After she worked for a while longer and downed the soup in one go, Roo watched as her focus returned to her tasks.
"Ever been told you’re a workaholic?"
"Isn’t ’workaholic’ your exclusive title, Mr. Roo?" Rosemary jotted down notes with her pen, her tone playful.
"Guess we’re the workaholic couple then. Our poor employees."
Rosemary couldn’t help but laugh, "Get outta here."
"Yes, my dear wife." Roo quieted down again.
It wasn’t until the clock hit 2:50 AM that Rosemary finished up her work, took a shower, and finally crawled into bed for so well-deserved rest.
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