The assistant was taken aback by Ss'' demeanor. However, interpreting his nonchnt attitude as
that of a typical clienting to collect his garments, she proceeded with her duties.
"Jamie, what''s gotten into you? You''re practically ogling. Pull yourself together!" Lydia chided, tugging
Jamie''s arm.
"Mom! Look at that man. He is so handsome! I''ve never seen such a pretty face in my life," Jamie
gushed, her excitement palpable.
"Enough of that. You''re a woman of means; act like it. No matter how handsome he may be, he''s still
just a man," Lydia scolded, though she couldn''t help but steal nces at Ss.
Something about him seemed familiar, and his icy gaze sent shivers down her spine.
As the assistant pondered how to handle the situation, the crisp click of high heels echoed from the
staircase.
"Are you two quite finished?"
Ss turned his attention to Rose, who had just arrived. His eyes narrowed as he observed the
aggression emanating from her demeanor.
"Mom, that bitch is here!" Jamie eximed, her expression twisted with disgust and hostility.
Jamie, as the legitimate daughter of the Emerson family, felt deeply unsettled by the impact Rose, the
illegitimate daughter, had on the former''s rtionship with their father, George Emerson.
Rose surpassed Jamie in various aspects. Not only was Rose exceptionally beautiful, but she also
possessed remarkable talent. Excelling academically and disying exemry character from a young
age, Rose rose to be the most esteemed fashion designer in the country.
If Rose hadn''t been burdened by her mother''s criminal past, George wouldn''t have treated her with
such coldness and distance. Rose might have even married into the prestigious Dalton family from
Northuis instead of Jamie.
As Rose approached Lydia and Jamie, each step felt as heavy as lead.
Upon reaching the bottom, her gaze fell upon Ss, seated with an air of effortless elegance. His
charming eyes captivated her, causing her heart to flutter uncontrobly, just as it always did in his
presence. Yet, despite her undeniable attraction, Rose knew she could never act upon her feelings.
The arrival of Lydia and Jamie felt like the striking of midnight, a cruel reminder for Rose to awaken
from her Cindere dream.
Despite her deep affection for Ss, Rose harbored a secret hope that he would find a more suitable
partner for himself—one without the burdensome background, family, and past that gued her.
Lydia''s eyes burned with hatred as she observed Rose''s remarkable sess. Her anger simmered
beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.
"Lydia, I am working right now. We can talk after work," Rose uttered, her voice strained with forced
composure.
Ss remained a silent observer on the sidelines, rendering Rose unable to unleash her pent-up
frustrations on Lydia and Jamie. She grappled with the thought of revealing her family''s inner turmoil,
especially considering how it might affect her standing in Ss and Alyssa''s eyes.
Rose had fought tooth and nail to rise from the depths of the slums to her current position, and she was
determined never to return to square one and endure the scorn of others.
N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.
Ss noticed the grim look on Rose''s face. Yet, he remained calm.
Lydia, however, was seething with outrage. Finallyying eyes on Rose, she spewed forth a venomous
tirade. "Rose, you may be a renowned designer now, but your arrogance and temper have worsened
over time.
"You have changed. You used to try to appease us when you and your mother were still living with the
Emersons."
"Lydia, while it may have been my assistant''s oversight not to recognize you, we treat all clients equally
and have no intention of causing any inconvenience," Rose retorted, her body stiffening with tension.
"Let''s continue this discussion in my office."
Lydia crossed her arms, her tone icy. "You may have forgotten your roots and denied your identity as
an Emerson, but you can never erase where you came from. No matter how high you climb, remember
that your sess today is all thanks to the Emerson family''s efforts."
"Mom, you''re saying it in such a roundabout way. Does Rose even understand? Let me make it clear to
her," Jamie interjected, her tone dripping with malice as she nced at Ss, igniting a sense of
maliciouspetitiveness within her.
She inched closer to Rose. "Rose, you have to always remember that you are an illegitimate daughter
of the Emerson family."
Ss, holding a cup, tightened his grip as his heart panged with ache. Sensing Rose''s difort, he
averted his burning gaze, fearful of adding to her distress.
"Why should we speak in your office? Are you ashamed of who you are, Rose?" Jamie taunted, seizing
the opportunity to strike. "Wee to see you once in a blue moon, yet you find every excuse to avoid
us. Now that we''ve raised the issue, your guard dog is ready to pounce."
The assistant seethed with humiliation, but understanding their rtionship with Rose, she bit back her
anger.
Each insult pierced Rose''s heart like a knife, particrly in front of the man she loved. It was a brutal
assault on her most vulnerable side.