Chapter 9
Phoebe led Rosalie up to the second floor.
“Rosalie, I’m sorry, it was all my fault earlier. I should have stopped Tianna from acting so impulsively…” She tilted her face to look at Rosalie, her soft features tinged with guilt.
Rosalie turned to face her slowly, her expression indifferent and eyes frigid.
“I’m not the one you owe an apology.” Without another word, she stepped forward and continued down the hall.
Phoebe’s gaze flickered as she hurried to catch up, eager to say more. But Rosalie radiated a cold aura that kept anyone else at a distance.
Phoebe frowned, struggling to find an opening.
As they wandered past an open room on the second floor, Rosalie stole a glance inside.
Corridor light flooded in, casting a glow over a sleek grand piano.
Phoebe caught her gaze and hastened to stand beside Rosalie. “This is my piano room,” she said. “If you feel like playing…
Rosalie cut Phoebe off with a shake of her head. “I can’t play.”
Phoebe smiled gently. “I can teach you.”
“No, thanks.”
“Rosalie, don’t be shy. School doesn’t start for a few days, I can teach you in my free time.”
Rosalie shot her a glance but said nothing.
Abruptly, Phoebe halted and looked up, spotting Tianna with arms folded, a sneer twisting her features.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself just because someone spoke up for you. Trash is trash, and shiny packaging won’t change that. Some country hick playing rich chick? Give me a break!”
Tianna’s voice dripped with scorn, her expression pure revulsion.
Though she’d apologized earlier, Tianna was convinced Dominik disliked Rosalie.
She thought, ‘Without Dominik and Karen’s support, how long can this bitch last in the Spencer family?
‘Even Mr. Merritt is awesome, he can’t meddle in family affairs. And a godlike man like him would never waste time on trash‘
To her surprise, Rosalie’s face showed no anger, she even gave a faint nod. “I agree,” With that, Rosalie sidestepped past her.
Tianna gaped, thinking, ‘She agrees? Is this bitch so dim she can’t tell I’m mocking her?‘
She wanted to chase after Rosalie, but Phoebe pulled her back.
Tianna turned around and asked, “Why are you stopping me?”
“Did you forget the promise you made me?”
Too caught up in anger to notice Phoebe’s strange, taut face, Tianna snapped, “Phoebe, you’re too soft–hearted! Look at that stupid country bumpkin. She’s starting draina on her first day here. If she keeps this up, she’ll run all over you!”
“I just want our family to stay harmonious. Please don’t…”
Phoebe shook her head with a bitter smile, then stepped around Tianna to chase after Rosalie. “Ugh, you idiot!”
Tianna stamped her foot in frustration, her resolve to drive Rosalie out hardening.
Rosalie’s room lay at the end of the corridor. She opened the door to a stark, minimalist space dominated by black and white, a model house aesthetic.
Phoebe smiled brightly, “We were so busy preparing for the banquet. I never got around to showing you your room. Mom designed it especially for you, put so much thought into every detail.”
Rosalie gave a nonchalant “Oh and stepped inside.
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3:04 PM
Chapter 9
Just as Phoebe moved to follow, Rosalie spun around, blocking her way. “Anything else?”
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