The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 448:

After a pause, he continued, “After Mom and Dad raised her for two decades, this is how she shows her gratitude to them?”

A heavy silence settled in the air. In their younger years, living under the same roof, they had had their disagreements and arguments, but they had never once turned against their own family.

Rosie’s behavior earlier, scheming against her own family, left them feeling disgusted by her.

As noon approached, Ethan’s sleek car glided to a halt outside the Harper estate. Clad in his signature tailored black suit with artfully tousled hair, Ethan cut a striking figure, embodying effortless style with a touch of sophistication. To everyone’s astonishment, Ethan emerged with an uncharacteristic smile, his usual icy demeanor visibly softened. The tension that typically coiled around his broad shoulders had evaporated.

Rosie’s eyes were glued to Ethan. Months had slipped by since she had last seen him, and now here he was, beaming—surely that smile was meant for her. Her heart fluttered with hope.

“Ethan!” she called out eagerly, maneuvering her wheelchair toward him with unseemly haste.

Brenna set her salad fork down with deliberate calm. She had intended to greet Ethan, but Rosie’s desperate interception made her pause. Watching the scene with detached amusement, she waited for Rosie to be ignored by Ethan.

Ethan, buoyed by the significance of being included in a Harper family gathering, even offered Rosie a rare courtesy. “How’s your recovery coming along?” he asked.

The words were polite, yet his gaze never strayed from Brenna. The warmth in his eyes as he looked at her could have melted glaciers, his expression tender with affection.

Without waiting for a response from Rosie, he strode past her as if she were merely part of the landscaping, making a beeline for Brenna.

Rosie’s face crumpled. The brutal dismissal cut deeper than any physical pain from her injuries. Even Ethan’s retreating figure seemed to reject her, his entire being focused solely on Brenna.

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Hot tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

The Harper siblings exchanged knowing glances. They felt no sympathy for Rosie, and Audrey even believed Rosie had brought the humiliation upon herself.

Ethan greeted the elders with uncharacteristic deference, the normally aloof tycoon exhibiting a surprisingly gentle demeanor.

Neville followed him, handing the gifts Ethan had brought to the staff.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Harper siblings, Ethan finally reached Brenna. From his jacket pocket, he produced a single perfect rose. “For you,” he said softly.

Brenna accepted it, her smile finally reaching her eyes. “Thank you.”

She brought the bloom to her nose, inhaling its fragrance with visible delight.

Determined to salvage her pride, Rosie maneuvered closer. The sight of that rose—a symbol of affection—in Brenna’s hands sent jealousy churning through her veins. She wanted one from Ethan, too.

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