She turned her attention back to the maid and told them to clear up while she went back to the kitchen and asked the chef to dish out some food for her and took it personally to Rose's room.“Mrs. Lara, what are you doing here?" Rose asked when she opened the door and saw Lara standing outside.“I brought food for you to eat." Lara said as she walked into the room." But I already ate.” Rose replied, still confused about what Lara meant.“A growing child like you should not skip dinner, young miss." Lara commented as she placed the tray of food down on the table. “I saw your plate earlier and you didn't even take five spoons from your food, so I thought to bring your food up here if you are uncomfortable eating with the young master." She explained.Rose couldn't help but smile when she heard Lara. " You paid attention to me, thank you, Mrs. Lara." “It's no big deal and you always remind me of my own daughter as well, young miss. Anyways, I will leave to eat right now." Lara said and
“Um…. Mr. King, I hope I'm not interrupting you?” Rose walked over and asked. Someone with the kind of reputation he has, she knew it was normal for him to be always busy. It was no wonder he ate very little food earlier.Alex raised his head up to see the little girl in front of him before shaking his head and gesturing to her to sit down. He grabbed his own cell phone and dialed Nicholas' number.“Alex, why are you calling?” Nicholas usal cold and serious voice rang out after the call.Despite the fact that she was sitting a few distance away from Alex she could still hear Nicholas's voice.“Why can't I call you?" Alex coldly asked back with a frown on his face. Rose raised her brow when she heard Alex's response. ‘Is it me or are these two not a bad match for friends. This one over here has a low EQ and the other one on the other line is way too serious. I wonder how they manage to become friends anyway.’ She recalled the day she had lunch with the four of them. It was only Chris
“Yes, I'm the one." Rose calmly replied.“We have been looking for you. Why did you leave the Gray mansion? Why are you with Alex?" He questioned, his voice turned serious in an instant. They have been looking for Rose the entire day but here she was with his friend and he didn't even know how they met.Rose knew that the Anderson family would go to look for her at the Gray mansion if she didn't visit like she promised. It was one of the reasons she didn't argue with Victor when he kicked her out. “I didn't leave the house because I wanted to, there is a story to that. And I ran into Mr. King last night when I left home and he helped me." She finally replied. Nicholas paused for a while, there was a huge frown on his face as he listened to Rose and got lost in his thoughts. Rose took a glance at Alex who had his attention focused on his laptop. It doesn't seem like he planned on listening to her and Nicholas' conversation, but upon that she still had something she wanted to discuss
“I need to borrow your company hackers. I want them to hack into the Gray family security system. There is something I'm going to send to you after I borrow a laptop from Mr. King. You will help me expose these things but leave no traces that can be tracked." Rose explained. She might find peace and love where she currently is but that doesn't mean she forgot the most important thing and the reason she is living. “Rose, does this have anything to do with your reason for leaving the house?" Nicholas questioned. He was not too stupid to not quickly take a guess of what she's doing. “Yes, it is. Leave your questions for later when we see each other, cousin. Are you going to help me with this task?” Rose replied and asked him again. She knew he would want to question her but that isn't something she could answer at the moment. “I will get it done for you." Nicholas replied. This is the second task she was going to ask him to help her solve so he decided to do it. After all, he knew tha
Alex stared at her for a while before reaching to collect the phone from her hand without saying anything. “I will be heading back to my room now." Rose announced and immediately walked right past him not bothering to wait if he had something to say. Immediately after Rose's figure disappeared from his sight, the phone in his hand started to vibrate, making Alex turn his attention back to the phone and the neutral calm expression he had in his face when Rose was with him, immediately vanished and replaced with a dark expression. “She is not here?" He said, immediately he answered the call. " I know she isn't. I was hoping to speak to you.” Nicholas's serious voice rang out. “Why are you calling me?" Alex questioned. Why was he hoping to speak to him? “Because I have some questions to ask you. Alex, where did you meet Roseline?" Nicholas asked without beating around the bush. Even Rose said she was fine, it was still his duty to be a thousand percent sure and he really wanted to
By the time Rose was done speaking with Nancy, she immediately checked some other things that she needed to do and checked some accounts she had in her possession. Once she was done with everything, she checked the time and saw that it was already past noon. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she forgot to eat lunch and luckily Lara had asked the maid to bring some snacks for her earlier so she didn't feel the hunger.“Ah, I think I'm done with everything I need to do." Rose mumbled as she placed the laptop beside her and stretched her hand and neck. She had done most of the important things she needed to do.“Young miss, Madam Lara want me to ask if you need anything?" A maid suddenly walked up to where Rose was sitting.“Oh, not really. I'm still okay for now and I will be heading to my room now." Rose replied back to the maid who nodded at Rose with a smile on her face as she bowed and went back.Just as she was about to stand up, as if on a sudden impulse, she looked
………..Lara, who has received the maids report, came outside herself to come and meet Rose. She was worried about Rose skipping lunch and still saying she was okay. However, by the time she came outside and saw Rose still sitting in the living room her curiosity piqued by the sight of Rose's focused expression. She made her way to Rose who hadn’t noticed her presence and peered over the girl’s shoulder, trying to make sense of the numbers and graphs on the screen, but none of it registered. "What are you working on, dear?" she asked kindly.Rose turned her head when she heard the voice and she gave Lara a small smile when she saw it was her before gesturing to the screen. "This? I'm just working on some securities.""Ah," Lara replied, finally understanding what Rose was talking about, though she doesn't understand totally. “You have been sitting here since morning, dear. Why don't you take a break and get something to eat. I'll ask the chef to prepare something light for you to eat
Rose placed the laptop on the small table in front of her before looking up at him. "I nearly forgot to tell you this. I need to go home today."Alex raised an eyebrow. "Home?""Yes," She replied, standing up and smoothing down her clothes. "I have missed school today and I think it's time for me to return home to get my things prepared for tomorrow."After talking with Nancy today, she knew it was time for her to leave. There are things she needed to solve and she needed to face her family again, after all their son has to pay for what he did to her." You can't go to school in your state.” Alex suddenly said as he stared at her face with a frown. Although her wounds were healing, they hadn't healed and still looked bruised.Rose caressed her cheeks before giving a small smile at Alex. “I know but still I have to return home. There are things I need to handle. Staying here would not solve them for me." Alex studied her for a moment before nodding, his usual cool gaze softening slig
"Shut up!” Victor snapped sharply, his voice quivering with rage. The injustice he felt burned like a firestorm inside him. “They beat me up! They should be begging for my forgiveness! I’m going to sue them all and throw them in jail!” His eyes blazed as he glared at the crowd, his words venomous. “How dare you mess with me? You’re all dead!” The crowd erupted into sneers and laughter. “If anything happens to us, the world will know it’s the Grays who did it,” someone retorted. “You’ll face justice soon enough.” Another voice chimed in, “Miss Rose Gray, it’s pointless to be kind to people like them. They don’t know the meaning of gratitude!” “They’re heartless,” a third agreed. “The more you tolerate them, the worse they’ll treat you.” “Some people are just born wicked,” an older man said, shaking his head. “Victor Gray is the perfect example.” Rose, standing at the center of the storm, glanced at Victor with a faint trace of pity. She sighed softly and said, “But he’s still my
The Gray couple stood devastated, their carefully constructed façade crumbling under the weight of the truth. William seemed to freeze, his face twitching with barely restrained fury. For a moment, he looked like a man teetering on the brink of madness. How can I possibly agree? Everyone is watching and listening. But those shares are mine. MINE. Rose kept her gaze fixed on the floor, her shoulders hunched like a frightened lamb. Her small frame trembled slightly, evoking pity from the onlookers. Poor girl. The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Born into wealth but treated like an outcast in her own family. Even her own father uses her without hesitation. Beatrice’s fists were clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Her mind was racing. No. We can’t give those shares back. They’re ours. Sophia’s and Victor’s future depend on them. She can’t take them from us! Sophia stood frozen, her face burning with suppressed anger. Yet, she dared not speak, remembering the backla
"How could a father steal from his own daughter? Or is she not even considered his daughter?” “Is the Gray Corporation really that desperate now?” Outraged whispers spread among the crowd. Some female reporters expressed their disgust. “Do you only see your son as your child? What about your daughter? This is outrageous!” Someone chimed in, “He surely cares for his daughter, it all just depends on which daughter you're referring to. And it's obvious that you mean Sophia. Look at her outfit! That dress alone is worth more than $100,000, and her jewelry must cost a fortune of a million. However , look at the poor Miss Roseline Gray…” All eyes turned to Rose, and the difference was undeniable. “My God, it seems like the ex-wife’s daughter hasn't been treated well.” “It’s clear who gets the love and resources in this family…” Beatrice Gray’s face tightened as she realized the shift in the room’s mood, but it was too late. Sophia, unable to contain her anger, stood up and snapped a
It was a speech prepared and arranged for Rose to deliver, and it would have sounded far more convincing if she had done so. However, Rose had stayed quiet the entire time, leaving William Gray with no choice but to do it himself."Fake? Photoshop? That’s the best explanation you can offer? Ridiculous! Do you think we’re so blind that we can’t tell the difference between fake and real? Does he truly think we’re stupid?"Some reporters exchanged skeptical glances, their pens pausing mid-sentence. The crowd seemed to share the same sentiment, murmuring in agreement, except for a small group of reporters.Before the other reporters had the chance to challenge him, a few voices rang out from the front row.“Mr. Gray is absolutely correct," one reporter said with exaggerated conviction. "The video lacks credibility. It's easy to manipulate footage these days, especially with advanced editing software."Another voice quickly added, "I agree. It’s well-edited, but if you look closely, you
---The press conference was held at the luxurious Riverview Grand Hotel, a venue known for hosting high-profile events. The large conference room was packed to capacity with journalists, photographers, and reporters from various media, all eager to catch a glimpse of the trending Gray family.As soon as Rose entered the room with William, Beatrice, Victor, and Sophia, the reporters surged forward like a swarm of hungry predators."Roseline Gray, what’s your opinion on the recent video?""Roseline Gray, how do you feel about being attacked by your half-brother Victor Gray?""This isn’t the first time, is it? Why have you stayed silent about the abuse?""Your father didn’t defend you—have you ever resented him for it?""How do you feel about the way your stepmother treats you?""Doesn’t your stepsister Sophia support you either? Do you feel completely isolated?""Roseline Gray, I heard you came back to the country, so what did you do to be beaten up by your step brother?”Question afte
………The next day, Rose dressed carefully for the press conference. She applied a touch of makeup to cover her bruises, though some marks were still visible. She chose a white summer dress, its delicate design giving her an air of fragility.When she descended the stairs, Beatrice was waiting, her irritation evident as Rose had made them for a long time on purpose.“Why are you wearing that? Pick a brighter color! You look better in something cheerful. And put more makeup on!” Beatrice protested as she scanned what Rose was wearing.‘What is she trying to do? Is she trying to look weak on purpose?’ Beatrice fumed internally. ‘This conference is meant to prove the video was false, not the opposite! If anything bad happens to my son, you’ll pay for it!’ she seethed.Rose’s eyes filled with tears as she replied meekly, “Dr. Noah said makeup could cause scarring if applied before my cuts heal. But I thought it would look too obvious without anything, so I used a little to cover most of the
They began the game in silence, the soft clink of chess pieces the only sound. Frank’s moves were calculated, deliberate, but he quickly realized Rose wasn’t an easy opponent. Her strategy was sharp, her responses precise, and it wasn’t long before she had him on the defensive.Frank leaned back in his chair, studying the board with newfound respect. “You’re quite skilled. Your mother must have been an excellent teacher.”“She was,” Rose replied, her tone tinged with fondness. “She always said chess was like life. Every move matters, and you have to think several steps ahead.”Frank nodded, his expression thoughtful. “A wise woman. And what have you learned from this game?”Rose paused, a small smile playing on her lips. “That you’re cautious but adaptable. You test your opponent before committing to a strategy.”Frank raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “Well observed. You’ve got a sharp mind, Rose. A rare gift.”“Thank you,” Rose said, warmth creeping into her voice.As the game p
Rose smiled, caught between the two. “I… I didn’t mean to start a competition!” she said, laughing lightly.Frank chuckled and placed a hand on Anne’s shoulder. “It’s not a competition, dear,” he said softly, his voice carrying a reassuring note. “Let her call us whatever she feels comfortable with.”Anne smiled, the playful edge fading. “Well, as long as she knows I’m the most important one,” she said with a wink.Julian laughed, crossing his arms and leaning back casually. “I’ll tell you what Rose, in order to soften the situation. It would be best if you call mom ‘Grandma’ and father ‘Grandfather,’ Deal?”Rose laughed, feeling the warmth of their banter. “Deal!” she said, her heart lightened by the playful atmosphere. She totally forgot that she felt stiffened up earlier.“Well,” she said, giving Anne a quick hug, “I’ll call you Grandma, if you prefer that. I just... I think it slipped out. It feels right.”Anne’s face softened, her smile returning. “Of course, darling. I suppose
*********The grandeur of the Anderson Ancestral home was as breathtaking as ever, with its ornate architecture and sprawling gardens. Though Rose had visited before, this time felt different. It wasn’t a casual visit—it was her escape, her refuge after the chaos at the Gray mansion.Julian guided her inside, where Frank and Anne Anderson awaited in the living room. Despite the familiarity, Rose still felt a twinge of hesitation as she approached them.“Rose, my darling,” Anne said warmly, pulling her into a gentle hug. Her soft hair brushed against Rose’s cheek as she held her close. “I’ve been worried about you. I’m so glad you’re here now.”“Thank you, Grandma,” Rose replied, her voice steady though her heart fluttered at the kindness."My goodness, how on earth did you end up in this state? How dare William Gray let his incompetent fool do this to my precious child? Does he have a death wish?" Anne fumed, her voice trembling with rage. Though most of the wounds were finally heali