Chapter 24
Rosalie’s lips quirked in a faint, sardonic smile.
“As soon as she opened the door, she accused me of hanging out.” She pointed at Sally, then turned back to Karen. “And the first thing you did was assume I’d been hanging out. So someone must have put that idea in your heads, no?”
Phoebe’s eyes widened, and she shook her head with exaggerated innocence.
“Rosalie, I didn’t. We were just worried. Please don’t misinterpret,”
“Rosalie, you were out alone. That’s the fact.” Karen cut in, her voice taut. “Since you behave recklessly, don’t be surprised when others draw conclusions. Before accusing anyone, you should reflect on what you’ve done.”
She forced a breath, attempting to soften her tone. “I can’t change how you were raised, but from now on, you must learn discipline.”
“I told you,” Rosalie’s eyes narrowed, “I waited over an hour.”
Her words landed like a slap, a pointed reminder of Karen’s failure as a mother.
Karen’s fists clenched, her voice shaking with rage.
She seethed inwardly, ‘If she waited an hour, why not ten more? Besides, no one witnessed what she did during that time.’
Karen’s face turned livid, her voice sharpening to a harsh edge. “The fact is, the driver didn’t see you!”
“Seriously?”
A sudden laugh echoed from the villa’s open doorway, cool at first, but laced with clear mockery.
“Ah, does Rosalie need witnesses to prove she waited an hour?”
At the sound, Rosalie turned around.
Hayden leaned against the doorframe, cold starlight draping over his figure. He exuded the effortless grace of a natural–born aristocrat, his handsomeness almost unreal.
“You… didn’t you leave already?”
Hayden raised a hand, shaking the backpack in his grasp.
It was the uniform bag Hodgeson High had just distributed today.
“See? You forgot it. Don’t you need it?”
Rosalie blinked, realizing he was offering to vouch for her.
After a second’s thought, she shook her head. “No.”
Hayden arched a brow, smiling. “Fair enough. Here.”
He held out the schoolbag, and she hesitated before taking it.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Hayden rubbed the top of her hair. “Rosa, if you need anything, just call me. I’m not afraid of trouble.”
This time, he used her nickname, a name typically reserved for family and close friends.
Rosalie felt a flicker of surprise; the familiarity sent a strange tingle through her.
A breeze wafted through the open door, carrying the faint scent of Hayden’s sandalwood cologne, gentle yet grounding.
She pursed her lips, then whispered after a pause, “Thanks, Hay.”
‘Good girl”
From the moment Hayden appeared, Karen and Phoebe stood frozen, as if struck mute.
Hayden…. Mr. Merritt? He’d actually driven Rosalie home?
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3:07 PM d
Chapter 24
Impossible.
But what truly stunned them was the case between Rosalie and Hayden, they acted as if they’d known each other for years.
Phoebe’s hands clenched the fabric of her robe, nails digging into her palms.
Karen had picked her up from piano class that night, but forgotten Rosalie.
Truthfully, Phoebe had remembered. She’d deliberately stayed silent to see how long it would take Karen to recall.
When they arrived home, Karen hadn’t spared a thought until she spotted Rosalie’s slippers on the shoe rack.
In that moment, Phoebe had felt a surge of satisfaction. It proved Rosalie meant nothing to Karen. She wasn’t even worth remembering.
Unexpectedly, Rosalie would run into Mr. Merritt, and he’d personally drive her home?
Phoebe wondered, ‘Is this a coincidence? Or…
Hayden turned to Karen, his tone polite yet distant, laced with a faint chill. “Good evening, Mrs. Spencer.”
The stark contrast from his warm smile with Rosalie wasn’t lost on anyone.
Karen’s body went rigid, a cold sweat breaking on her forehead.
Facing a man decades younger, she felt smothered by his overwhelming presence.
“Mr. Merritt, what brings you here?”
Hayden’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. “I saw Rosalie standing alone on the street for hours. I simply did the right thing.”
Karen felt as if she’d been slapped, more humiliating than painful. “Mr. Merritt, I…”
While the Spencer family business is prosperous now,” he cut in, “reputation matters. If news gets out that you left a minor unattended at night… that wouldn’t look good, would it, Mrs. Spencer?”
Karen’s face flushed then paled, her retort dying in her throat.
Minutes earlier, she’d chided Rosalie about disgracing the family, and now those words had been thrown back in her face. She had no retort at all.
Also…” Hayden cast an indifferent glance at the cowering servant. “the Spencer family might consider training their staff.”
Sally trembled, her face draining of color.
Karen’s jaw tightened, but she held her tongue.
Hayden turned back to Rosalie, his smile reappearing. “Rosa, get some rest. Call me if you need anything. Goodnight.”
The villa door closed with a thud, sealing out the night.
A tense silence fell in the entryway.
Rosalie pressed her lips together. Even after she’d refused his help, he’d still stood up for her.
Ignoring the awkward quiet, she bent to slip off her shoes, ready to return to her room.
“What are you doing here?” Dominik descended the stairs with a mug, eyeing Rosalie. “You just came back?”
“I’m going to my room.” She met his gaze indifferently before walking past.
Dominik frowned, about to press further, when Phoebe cut in smoothly, “Dad, Rosalie had a long day. She just came back from Lamont Charm School. She must be exhausted. Let’s let her rest.”
As she spoke, she clung to his arm coquettishly, flashing a sweet smile.
Dominik’s focus shifted to Phoebe, and he dropped the topic of Rosalie’s demeanor.
He brushed his fingers against Phoebe’s forehead, voice warm, “You’re always so thoughtful. Get some rest. Don’t practice piano too late.”
“Got it.” Phoebe nodded carnestly. “Oh, right, Dad, Jimmy said he’ll come back to cheer me on during the competition.
The Jimmy Phoebe mentioned was her fiancé, the eldest grandson of the Donovan family, one of Webston’s three most powerful clans.
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3:07 PM
Chapter 24
“He’s returning from Meriton just to cheer for you?” Dominik’s surprise melted into delight. Then you must put on a good show.”
The Spencer family had reaped significant benefits from this engagement over the past two years.
That the Donovan heir, currently a student at Meriton, cared about Phoebe all the time was a reassuring sign of his genuine affection.
Phoebe beamed, “I will, Dad.”
By then, Karen had composed herself and ushered them along, “Alright, enough chatting. Go rest. It’s late.”
Phoebe glanced at Karen, murmured goodnight, and headed to her room.
Before opening her door, Phoebe subconsciously glanced at the closed door at the end of the corridor, a storm of emotions churning inside her.
Dominik didn’t know what happened tonight. But what if next time…
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