Ss remained silent.


    Rose couldn''t bring herself to meet his gaze, her heart aching with an intensity that made her wish for it


    to cease beating altogether.


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    No one would be able to ept her, even someone as understanding and perceptive as Ss.


    After an agonizing stretch of tense silence, Rose summoned the strength to ster a strained smile on


    her face.


    "Yes, I am the illegitimate daughter, the product of George''s affair. Our family is aplete mess, our


    drama both entertaining and scandalous!"


    She turned her attention to Jamie, her voice tinged with defiance. "Jamie, you''re on the verge of


    marrying into the Dalton family, aren''t you? When I meet my new brother-inw, rest assured I''ll


    enlighten him about the Emerson family''s true colors. Perhaps then, we can findmon ground."


    Lydia and Jamie were left dumbfounded by Rose''s audacity. With each forcedugh, their fury only


    intensified.


    Rose had made everything worse!


    "Tell me, what brings you to visit this illegitimate daughter you seldom acknowledge?" Rose''s tone


    dripped with sarcasm as she arrogantly checked her watch. "Hurry up, my time is valuable."


    Lydia ground her teeth, struggling to contain her anger. "Jamie is about to be engaged. Your


    father expects you to create two gowns for her."


    "I''m sorry, but my schedule is fully booked for the next few months. I simply don''t have the time."


    Lydia''s icy re bore into Rose. "Rose, are you going against your father''s orders?"


    Rose fearlessly replied, "It doesn''t matter. Even if the presidentes, I won''t do it."


    Jamie was livid. "You!"


    "Lydia, do you take me for a fool?"


    Rose, towering over Lydia, regarded her with a mixture of disdain and defiance. "You and your


    daughter humiliated me just seconds ago, and mere secondster, you dare to ask me for a favor? I


    can''t believe the extent of your shamelessness."


    "You disrespectful wretch! You''ve crossed the line!"


    Lydia was unable to contain her rage any longer. With eyes reddened with fury, she raised her arm


    intending to deliver a p across Rose''s face.


    Rose''s muscles tensed, ready to defend herself, when a sharp gust of wind suddenly sliced through the


    air. Then, a sharp, echoing smack reverberated throughout the space.


    "Ah! It hurts!" Lydia cried out in pain, her forehead glistening with sweat as she clutched her throbbing


    wrist.


    The sound of something shattering echoed through the room as a cup fell to the ground after it


    thwarted Lydia''s attempt to strike Rose.


    "Mom, are you okay?" Jamie was scared out of her wits.


    Lydia''s hand trembled in pain. "Who did this?"


    "Me."


    A voice, firm and unwavering, rang out.


    Rose looked up abruptly. Her heart felt heavy as tears swirled in her eyes.


    Ss, without a moment''s hesitation, stepped forward and approached Rose. His intense gaze, filled


    with concern andpassion, locked onto her pitiful, reddened eyes.


    There was no disgust or disdain in his eyes, only genuine concern for her well-being.


    As Jamie watched Ss'' intense gaze fixed upon Rose, whom she considered to be an eyesore, a


    pang of jealousy twisted her stomach.


    She thought they didn''t know each other. But the intensity of the man''s gaze on Rose was undeniable.


    His eyes seemed to be fixed on her with an unwavering focus, as if he couldn''t tear his gaze away from


    her for even a moment.


    "Did you just hit me? Who do you think you are?" Lydia''s voice trembled with anger and fear as she


    confronted the intimidating Ss.


    "Then, who do you think you are to strike her?"


    Ss met Lydia''s reddened face with a cold gaze and remarked, "Do you believe your facelift and Botox


    will absolve you of your actions?"