Chapter 1015: Chapter 1014
Yolanda remembered the day her biological parents brought her home, the first time she rode in a car so luxurious it seemed fit for royalty.
The first time she stepped into the Harris family’s cozy cottage, she was awestruck by the beautiful surroundings and the sheer number of servants.
Her parents had the chef prepare an endless array of dishes for her, each meal rivaling the splendor of a Michelin-starred restaurant, both exquisite and delicious.
They showered her with designer goods, escorted her to upscale events, and treasured her as if she were a delicate gem, cradling her with utmost care.
She even had a wealthy and handsome fiancé, a man who was generous, polite, and tenderly attentive to her every need.
And there was her grandmother, battling a serious illness. As grim as it was, once the old woman passed, they stood to inherit everything she owned.
Her life was perfect, yet it all came crashing down because of Rosemary!
Rosemary took the inheritance meant for her, plotted to bankrupt her parents overnight, turning them from the wealthiest family in Tranquil City to the most indebted.
With malicious intent, Rosemary provided evidence that sent her parents to prison, leading to their eventual execution.
Yolanda, from a life of luxury, was now just another face in the crowd, burdened with her parents’ colossal debts and the mockery of her peers.
Meanwhile, Rosemary, having turned her world upside down, returned to the Collins family estate, threw a nation-stirring homecoming party, where even the most prestigious societal figures bowed their heads in her presence.
Rosemary was the darling of her family and five brothers, and even had a billionaire for a fiancé, living a life of enviable ease.
Yolanda’s hatred ran deep. Holding her parents’ ashes, she wept bitterly into the wilderness, her screams echoing her desire to unleash all her hatred for Rosemary.
Earlier, when she went to collect the ashes, she encountered someone released from the same prison as her parents. Upon inquiry, she learned they were incarcerated together, seeing each other daily.
It was only after bribing this person that she discovered the extent of her parents’ suffering, as if someone had explicitly ordered their torment.
Knowing they lived each day worse than death, and that they had begged on their knees for the swift arrival of the execution.
The thought made Yolanda cry out in agony, her heart torn to shreds.
How miserable and pained her parents must have been to kneel and plead for death to come quickly?
Yolanda’s tears surged once more.
Damn Rosemary!
"Mom, Dad, watch from heaven, for I, Yolanda, swear I will avenge you. I will make Rosemary’s life a living hell! I swear it upon my life."
Elsewhere.
Romeo escorted Rosemary to her front porch, cradling her head tenderly for a deep kiss before gazing into her eyes and saying, "I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow night."
He had just accompanied her to light a candle in memory of Grannie Grace, sharing the news that the Harris couple had met their fate by the state’s hand.
Ever since their engagement had been announced, the whole town knew that he and Rosemary were betrothed. So the following evening, he wanted to take her to a dinner party to show everyone that she
belonged solely to him!
"Okay, see you tomorrow night." As Rosemary was about to leave, Romeo wrapped her in his arms again, claiming her lips in a fervent kiss.
"That’s enough." Rosemary gently pushed him away, pulling out her constantly buzzing phone from her pocket. It was a video call invitation from her aunt.
"I better head in. Drive safe and take it slow," she cautioned before answering Eunice’s call.
"Rose, look, we’ve made it to Oldrun." Eunice’s smile was radiant as she turned the camera to show the scenery behind her, excitedly sharing with Rosemary, "Isn’t it beautiful? Your grandparents wanted to
send you this view, but I beat them to it."
The families had planned a world tour before the New Year, but with the mastermind still at large, the Collins family couldn’t afford to let their guard down. So Bard and Sampson took the lead in taking their parents and their wives out for some enjoyment.
"If only you were here," Eunice wished her niece was by her side.
Rosemary smiled, "There’s been some progress here, and I think we’ll have answers soon. Once things wrap up, we’ll come and join you guys."
"That sounds wonderful," Eunice’s smile brightened even further, "We’ll take our time and wait for you to come. Even though you’re starting school again in a few days, everyone already knows you’re a special guest professor at Summerfield College. As for Westerly College, it makes no difference whether you return or not."
Rosemary chuckled, "You guys stay safe too. I’ll finish up here quickly and come find you."
"Alright," Eunice said before pausing, noticing something amiss. She stared at Rosemary’s lips and couldn’t help but smile knowingly, "Did you and Romeo just kiss?"
Caught off guard by her aunt’s observation, Rosemary’s cheeks turned a shade pinker.
Eunice’s laughter became even more beautiful. She pulled her husband closer and gave him a peck,telling her niece, "There’s nothing to it, love. Hugs and kisses between spouses are perfectly normal. No need to be shy."
At that, Bard leaned in for another kiss.
Eunice’s smile was beaming as she invited, "Bring Romeo along when you come. We’re really looking forward to having him."
"Sure, if he can make it."
Rosemary entered the main house to find her family still discussing the execution of Attlee and Olga.
"Grannie Grace can finally rest in peace," Louisa said, bringing over a bowl of soup. "Have a little something, you must be hungry."
"Did you hear? Several companies under our uncle and aunt’s names are in trouble," Clark whispered to his sister.
Everything seemed to be stacked against them.
"Did they find out who did it?" Rosemary asked, lifting her gaze.
"No, but at least we know that there are others who want to take them down besides us."
"What are you whispering with your sister about? Let her finish her soup first."
After saying that, Louisa turned to her daughter with a smile, "Rose, Myrna’s parents invited your dad and me over for dinner. I reckon they want to discuss Myrna and Chasel’s engagement. We’ll head over first, and when dinner is ready here, make sure you eat up, okay? Clark’s at home, he’ll keep you company."
"Sure," Rosemary said, her smile blooming as she nodded.
"Clark, take good care of your sister while we’re out."
"I got it. You guys should head off, don’t keep them waiting," Clark said, stepping forward to facilitate the conversation and wrapping an arm around each of them, "I’ll walk you to the door."
"Oh, wait, I forgot my scarf."
Clark turned back and signaled the maid to fetch it, then picked up the pace to see his parents out.
The scarf was brought out, and Clark carefully wrapped it around his mother’s neck, "Have a safe trip, no rush to come back."
"You rascal, why do I get the feeling you’re hiding something from us?"
"Not at all, I just think you should spend some extra time with the future in-laws, get to know them better."
Louisa found his behavior a bit odd, but didn’t ponder it further. After getting into the car, she couldn’t help but remind him again to look after Rosemary.
Once they had left, Clark went to find his sister.
Rosemary was on the phone. Clark overheard her saying, "Erik used to be a small-time gang leader, right? Check if any of his crew are still lurking around, uncaught."
The person on the other end of the line was confused, "Boss, why are we looking into this? Shouldn’t our priority be to find the person behind the fire that led to you being switched at birth?"
"So what?" The henchman was still perplexed.
"If Serena knows who’s behind it all, that person killed her father. With her temperament, wouldn’t she want revenge?"
The henchman on the phone had a moment of clarity, "I get it! She’ll either use Martin to get her revenge, or her father’s old crew. But Martin’s not the type to abet evil, so you suspect she might use her dad’s gang for revenge. It’s possible that it’s your aunt and uncle, considering the string of incidents in their companies."
If it turned out Erik did leave behind some loyalists to secretly work for Serena, then by watching who Serena went after, they might just reveal the true mastermind.