The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 449:

Suppressing her envy and frustration, she forced a brittle smile. “I made your favorite soup,” she told Ethan, pretending her heart wasn’t shattering. “You have to try some.”

Ethan offered a noncommittal nod, the bare minimum of courtesy required in the presence of the Harper family.

Luther watched the exchange with a growing sense of sympathy toward Rosie.

Rosie’s desperate affection was as clear as day. Meanwhile, Brenna, who had just returned to the family, had somehow enchanted everyone around her. The girl possessed an uncanny ability to excel in every social interaction.

Brenna’s social finesse was remarkable for someone so reserved.

But Rosie… she was different, Luther felt for her.

In this household, Luther believed only he truly had Rosie’s best interests at heart.

Still, he was no overbearing patriarch. While he wouldn’t meddle in matters of the heart, witnessing Rosie’s suffering pained him deeply. An idea took root in his mind—when the moment was right, he would introduce Rosie to suitable young gentlemen from reputable families.

“Every ingredient for today’s meal comes straight from the garden. I picked them myself,” Rosie declared, sliding a porcelain dish toward Ethan. “Organic produce. You should try some.”

Rosie had cleverly positioned herself beside Ethan during the meal. “This is your favorite dish,” she murmured, invoking childhood memories like a finely honed weapon. “You used to love it during summer breaks.”

With practiced finesse, she placed some food onto Ethan’s plate with her own fork, her smile brimming with hope.

Ethan felt displeased. Without a moment’s hesitation, he moved the food to his discard plate. “There’s no need for you to do this. I am Brenna’s boyfriend, and it would be inappropriate for me to accept such intimate gestures from other women. I’m sorry, Rosie.”

Rosie felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I meant nothing by it!” The protest burst forth from her throat. “You’ve always been like family—like a brother to me. Please don’t misunderstand my gesture.”

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Her gaze darted to Brenna. “Surely you can appreciate childhood bonds? You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Brenna just shrugged, her demeanor cold. “I don’t care.”

With that, Brenna put some food onto Ethan’s plate, casually selecting a cucumber salad in front of her.

Ethan’s demeanor brightened as he returned the gesture with some pasta, their silent communication excluding everyone else.

Ethan and Brenna continued to eat, completely ignoring Rosie.

Unable to watch Rosie embarrass herself further, Audrey put some ribs on Rosie’s plate.

Rosie clenched her teeth and said, “Thanks.” Her visage, a thundercloud, was reflected in the shining tableware.

The humiliation burned fiercely in her. She realized that Ethan was unwilling to be nice to her anymore.

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