bChapter /bb55 /b

Rosemary chuckled and took the gift. “You really are a thoughtful girlb./b”

“Open it, please! I want to see your reaction!” Genevieve nudged her, unable to hide her excitement.

With a resigned smile, Rosemary began unwrapping the present. Nestled inside the box was a polished, pristine ivory figurine of the Virgin Mary, the surface gleaming with a soft luster.

Mrs. Jensen–Ilse Sylvan Howard–immediately chimed in, “Mother, Genevieve knows how much you love religious art and saints, so she spent the whole day picking this out just for you.”

Miranda shot Ilse a sharp look. She’d never had much patience for her sister–inw, whose academic background and prim manners she found insufferably fake. Only someone from the Jensen family could deliver such syrupy ttery with a straight face.

Charlotte stood quietly among them, choosing not to disrupt the moment.

She knew Rosemary had only two sons. The eldest, Jacques Howard, was a diplomat–Elder Howard’s favorite, and Evander’s biological father. Jensen, the younger son, couldn’t quite measure up to his brother. These days, he served as vice chairman at “Cloudcrest MedTech Holdings,” thepany Rosemary herself had founded. His wife was Ilse, and their only child was Genevieve.

Rosemary closed the box and set it aside. “Well, it’s clear you put a lot of thought

into it.”

Genevieve giggled. “Actually, it was Tricia who helped me pick it out!”

She’d meant to earn Tricia some points with the olddy, but instead, she’d stumbled right onto one of Rosemary’s sore spots.

Ilse and Jensen nearly fainted from shock.

Rosemary’s face remained unreadable. “Who helped you choose it?”

Genevieve pressed her lips together, then looped her arm through Rosemary’s,

trying to steer the conversation back in her favor. “Grandma, you really

misunderstood Tricia back then. She’s nothing like some people, chasing after the family just for money!”

She shot a pointed nce at Charlotte, her chin lifted in smug defiance.

i1/2 /i

09:40

Charlotte almostughed. If they weren’t surrounded by so many people, she might have let it out.

Before Rosemary could respond, Jensen cut in, his voice stern. “Enough! This is nonsense–how dare you say such things in front of your grandmother and your aunt–inw?”

The very name “Tricia” was forbidden around the olddy. Of all times to bring her up, Genevieve had to do it at Rosemary’s birthday celebration.

“She’s not my aunt–inw!” Genevieve snapped, shaking off her father’s hand and ring at Charlotte with open disdain. “If she hadn’t wed her way into this family by less–than–honorable means, do you really think she’d be here? She’s nothingpared to Tricia!”

“Ilse, what kind of daughter are you raising?” Miranda scolded. “Haven’t you taught her there’s a time and ce for everything? She’s humiliating the Howard family!”

Miranda might not like Charlotte, but Charlotte was still her daughter–inwi. /iIt wasn’t the Jensen family’s ce to pass judgment.

Ilse’s face flushed with embarrassment as she finally pulled her daughter aside.

Rosemary instructed Miranda to go greet the important guests. As soon as thest of them had left the living room, the space fell silent.

In the next instant, a loud p echoed through the room.

Genevieve clutched her cheek, staring in disbelief at Lte, who’d delivered the

blow.

Lte spoke calmly but firmly. “That was from thedy of the house. The Howard family won’t tolerate such petty, disrespectful behavior from any youngdy. If you can’t act with dignity, don’t bother setting foot in this house again.”

No one from the Howard family dared challenge her. Lte’s words were as good as the matriarch’s own. Everyone knew she would never have acted without Rosemary’s approval.

Genevieve’s eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip and turned desperately to Evander. “Cousin!”

She’d assumed Evander would side with her. But he just shot her a cold look. “No matter what, she’s still your aunt.”

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