Chapter 40
'I haven't gathered enough information about Alexander King yet. I can't leave now.' Sophia thought as she looked at her mother. Rose smiled and said gently, "Sophia, please listen to mum. Let's go home."
Having been spoiled by her parents all these years, Sophia was annoyed hearing what Rose said and scowled at her
"No. I said I'm not leaving." She refused.
Shocked by Sophia's response, Rose stepped backward and lowered her head in silence, looking hurt and helpless.
The crowd watched and wondered 'Tut, Tut, tut, what a shame. It seems like the Grays aren't really a family of love and peace like people think they are.'
Beatrice was furiously frustrated at this situation, but she couldn't voice herself.
"That's enough of your stubbornness Sophia. You can't speak to your older sister like that." She scolded her daughter before grabbing her hand and dragged away the looking sour-faced Sophia.
Rose smirked seeing how Beatrice was rushing out of the party with her daughter. She turned attention and said goodbye to the ladies one by one politely and respectfully before following the other two. Though she had only made a short appearance, she had definitely left a good first impression on everyone. Some would say it was perfect.
She had successfully changed her used-to-be bad-tempered, ugly, and mean image fabricated rumors by Beatrice and Sophia. Even when she was abroad, those two never failed to sabotage her name and reputation. However, from now on, people would see her as an amiable, understanding and pleasant Roseline Gray while the fabricators earned their name as the two-faced and uncaring step-mother and half-sister.
In the car, on their way home. Sophia was sitting beside Rose as usual, still sulking at the fact that her mother had dragged her out of the party.
"Mother, why did you have to drag me out of the party when I just started having fun? If you so badly wanted to leave you could have left and have the driver come and pick me up later." Sophia complained like the spoiled child she was.
Feeling irritated at her daughter's complaint, Beatrice glared at Sophia. "Don't speak to me in that tone, young lady. You've had enough fun tonight and I say we go home now. That's final, so behave yourself."
"But-"
"Rose." Beatrice looked away from Sophia, who was about to say something and glanced at Rose who had remained quiet ever since they got into the car.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
"Yes, Stepmother." Rose raised her head up to look at Beatrice.
"I forgot to tell you about this earlier today because I was occupied with some things. Anyways, your father would be arriving back from his business trip today. Although he should have arrived earlier, I think something came up because his flight was delayed." Beatrice informed Rose, her eyes were glued on Rose to see the reaction she would have.
"Oh, father is arriving today? Is that why you asked us to leave the party early, mom? Anyways, I hope he gets the things I asked him to buy for me." Sophia excitedly rambled.
Beatrice's eyebrows twitched when she heard Sophia. 'Just where did I get this child from. I would have said she isn't my daughter if she didn't look like me.'
"Not everything is about gifts, Sophia. You're a grown up so act like one." Beatrice snapped at her daughter before turning to look at Rose.
Sophia pouted her face when she saw her mother's angry face. 'Why is she taking out her anger on me? Rose should be the one you glare at, not me.'
"I understand, Stepmother. Thank you for telling me." Rose said with a calm face.
Beatrice said nothing else and just quietly stared at Rose. 'This damn brat that made me lose face today is rather calm hearing that her father would be returning today.'
When they arrived back at the
mansion, Rose got out of the car and made her way to her room without saying anything to Beatrice and Sophia. She was done playing the role of a pitiful, and bullied daughter of the Gray family and back to her usual quiet and
indifferent self.
Beatrice just watched in silence as Rose climbed the stairs.
"That two bitched is acting like we are invincible now. Wait, and see when our father comes back." Sophia huffed in annoyance as she folded her arm across her chest glaring at the spot Rose had disappeared to.
Beatrice turned to her daughter when she heard her voice. Of course, she was mad at what Rose did to her, but the person that annoyed her the most tonight was none other than her slow witted daughter who had acted so stupid tonight.
"And what are you still doing here?"
She looked at her daughter with a small frown on her face. Even though she doted on Sophia which is because she expected her to be the crown jewels of the Gray family, however, she can't have Sophia messing things up and keep losing to Rose all due to her stupidity.
"And why have you been glaring at me like that ever since we left the party, mom?" Sophia also frowned and looked at her mother with an offended look.
Beatrice raised a brow at her daughter. "You're currently hopeless. Once you have your head out of the clouds then you know where to find me." Beatrice said and walked away to the master bedroom.
The first thing Rose did when she
entered her room was remove her white dress and enter the bathtub, soaking herself in soap water. She leaned back and rested her head on the tip of the tub while closing her eyes and replayed everything that happened today with a peaceful smile on her face.
***************
By the time William Gray, who was Rose's father, arrived back home, it was already late in the night. However, he was astounded to find his wife sitting in the living room and looking disgruntled. "Honey, welcome home." Beatrice greeted William when she saw him walk in. She got up from the couch and moved closer to where he was with a sulking face.