Chapter 575 Tricked Her Into Coming
It was Lizzie's birthday, and she was dressed more elegantly than ever. Cyrus had personally gone to pick up Ezra, and after saying goodbye to him, Lizzie made her way to the women's side to greet her guests. However, before she even reached them, she overheard some unpleasant remarks.
Yara had arrived at the flower wall before Lizzie. Ever since Rose had been revealed as the long-lost daughter of the Xanth family from Lerain Group and simultaneously inherited Young Group, Yara had been in a foul mood.
Every gathering she attended with her friends seemed to center around Rose, with words full of admiration and eagerness to get closer to her.
This evening was no exception, as the gathering of influential women inevitably turned to the subject of Rose. Not wishing to engage, Yara sat quietly on a swing chair hidden behind the flower wall.
The surrounding gossip left a bad taste in her mouth, but she took some comfort in knowing that someone else was suffering even more than she was.
As Yara observed the strained smile plastered across Lizzie's face, she couldn't resist stoking the flames.
"Rose seems to be quite popular, huh? But isn't this your birthday banquet, Aunt Lizzie? Somehow, it feels like Rose has stolen the spotlight, and she hasn't even arrived yet."
Despite Rose's conspicuous absence, she had already overshadowed the guest of honor. Naturally, Lizzie was furious. However, as the wife of a prestigious family, she had spent years crafting an image of elegance and grace. Her smile wavered, but she tried her best to keep it in place.
"Aunt Lizzie, isn't it exhausting to force a smile like that?" Yara asked with a light chuckle, her soft voice laced with scorn.
She refused to believe that Lizzie's mask was impervious to scrutiny, for that was precisely what it was a carefully constructed facade.
When Yara married Liam, her heart was already brimming with resentment. As events unfolded and Bella passed away while Jack vanished into thin air, she was convinced that Rose and Jonathan were to blame.
From that moment, she had felt a flicker of fear toward Jonathan. As for Rose, she felt nothing but resentment and refusal to concede.
She wanted to compete with Rose, to trample her, and to humiliate her. It was as if, by doing so, she could exact some sort of twisted retribution for her own fall from grace.
However, nobody could have anticipated that Rose would become the sole heiress of the Young Group and the only daughter of the Xanth family from the Lerain Group in the blink of an eye.
Either of these two identities alone was enough to make anyone envious, let alone when it was one person who possessed both simultaneously. It was infuriating.
Yara was both furious and defeated. With Jonathan's protection, it was futile to even think about challenging Rose. Any attempts would only lead to retribution from the Xanth family, the Young family, and perhaps even some members of the Finch family.
She was at a complete disadvantage, but even in her frustration, Yara knew she had to remain observant and stir the pot when opportunities arose, and Lizzie's distaste for Rose presented just that opportunity.
Over the past few days, Yara had been lurking around the Finch Manor, keeping an eye on the situation. In doing so, she had stumbled upon some unexpected insights.
One of those insights stood right in front of her. Yara's earlier jab had shattered Lizzie's facade, and her fake smile crumbled, revealing her true feelings.
Lizzie shot Yara a resentful look before turning to leave, her anger palpable even in her absence. Yara couldn't help but wonder if that fury stemmed from her comment or if it was fueled by Rose.
"It has to be because of Rose," Yara thought.
Even if there were other reasons for Lizzie's anger, Rose was surely the primary cause.
Over the past few days at the Finch Manor, Cyrus had been busy preparing for Lizzie's birthday banquet, running back and forth.
Lizzie had been by his side, assisting him every step of the way. However, in private, she was a completely different person from the gentle, refined woman she presented in public.
In front of others, she was poised and warm, but behind closed doors, a cold intensity filled her eyes as if she was ready to devour someone.
"Who was that someone?" Yara wondered.
After observing for many days, she finally got her answer from Eleanor.
She vividly recalled Lizzie's expression changing the moment Eleanor mentioned Rose. It was a sight to behold, and Yara felt a surge of excitement. Knowing that Lizzie harbored animosity toward Rose, she thought that perhaps she could use this to her advantage.
"Where is Ms. Shaffer?"
"She should be here soon."
"I hope she's coming..."
"Don't worry. She'll be here..."
The conversation on the other side of the flower wall continued to revolve around Rose, with everyone eagerly waiting for her appearance.
Meanwhile, outside the Young Estate, Eleanor had indeed arrived to pick up Rose, just as she had promised.
The luxurious Finch family car was conspicuously parked nearby. "Rosie, come on. Get in the car," Eleanor called out.
Over the past few days, Rose had developed a routine. She would spend her days at Young Group and find herself either en route to the Young Estate or making her way back to the villa in Royal Garden. Whenever she stayed at the Young Estate, Clover would be the one to pick her up the next day. Alternatively, if she stayed at the villa, it would be Miles who came to fetch her.
The two seemed locked in an unspoken competition, with neither willing to concede. However, that day was different.
"Rosie, hurry up..."
As Rose searched for Clover's car, Eleanor had already exited her vehicle, seemingly worried that Rose might suddenly change her mind. She pulled Rose toward the Finch family's car, enthusiastically inviting her inside.
Once Rose was seated, Eleanor told the driver, "To the Finch Manor."
Now that Rose was on board,
Eleanor could relax. She wondered if Elijah had arrived and thought that if he had, he would undoubtedly be pleased to see her personally
ve
bringing Rose to the Finch family's event.
"I'm sure he would be pleased!" she thought.
BUMS
Thinking about Elijah's delight made Eleanor happy as well, and she began peppering Rose with questions about the embroidery techniques for the evening gown.
As the car pulled up outside the Finch Manor, Rose immediately heard the lively clamor emanating from within the moment she stepped out of the vehicle.
Stepping inside the manor, the sight
of the bustling crowd greeted her, and before she could even react with surprise, Eleanor chuckled and explained, "It just so happens there's a birthday celebration taking place today. Pay them no mind. We have more pressing matters to attend to."
Eleanor was feeling a bit guilty. Ten days ago, she had used an excuse to bring Rose here, so she felt compelled to maintain the ruse.
She decided to first take Rose to see the evening gown and ask her to help with its repair. Afterward, she would casually invite Rose to stay for dinner, which would hopefully appear natural and unassuming. "Is that..."
"It's Ms. Shaffer! Ms. Shaffer is here!"
"Wow! Eleanor is personally leading her in. I've never heard of her treating anyone with such hospitality before..."
The women in the crowd gasped with excitement upon Rose's arrival, their eyes fixed on her as they began to approach.
However, they couldn't get close. A team of bodyguards had already cleared a path, allowing only Rose and Eleanor to walk through.
Even the businessmen who had been engaged in conversations paused to watch as Eleanor led the young woman into the main hall with a bright smile..
Some people who hadn't had the chance to attend the Xanth family's banquet last time finally learned of the much-discussed Ms. Shaffer's identity from those around them.
Despite her casual blouse, jeans, and simple attire, her presence remained extraordinary.
Someone couldn't help but sigh. "It's no wonder she comes from the Xanth and Young families. Their unique genes truly set them apart."
"Indeed. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to marry her."
"Who else could it be other than Mr. Jonathan?"
The mention of Jonathan brought a fleeting sense of disappointment to those who had harbored hopes, but regardless of their personal feelings, they still held Jonathan in high regard.