Chapter 2
Yuri feigned concern with a practiced sigh. “Mother, is this truly necessary? Rosalie’s family is in dire straits. Even if she took a trinket or two, it’s but a drop in the ocean for us. Can’t we show some compassion?”
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Jennifer’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Everything in her room was a gift from us. How dare she use our generosity to sustain her family? Her parents, jobless and adrift–will a few baubles truly make a difference?”
As she spoke, Jennifer advanced on Rosalie’s backpack, intent on exposing her supposed thievery.
Rosalie, anticipating Jennifer’s petty invasion, unzipped her bag with a flourish. “Here, see for yourselves. No Moreno trinkets grace this bag. My ID is my own, and the laptop and clothes I wear were bought with the money I earned from my scholarship.”
If Rosalie hadn’t been funneling her earnings to support her family, she would have flaunted her wealth in their faces. But they weren’t worth the
satisfaction.
Seeing the backpack’s contents, Yuri and Yosef exchanged glances of disappointment. They hadn’t expected Rosalie to have such integrity.
As the Morenos stood speechless, Rosalie slung her backpack over her shoulder, ready to make her exit.
Suddenly, a frail figure descended the stairs with urgency. “Rosalie… wait for me…”
The Morenos whirled in shock to see Yancy Moreno, fresh from surgery, hastening down the stairs.
Jennifer rushed to support her son, her voice laced with panic. “Yancy, you should be resting! Why have you left your bed?”
Yancy, battling Severe aplastic anemia, had undergone a bone marrow transplant by a mysterious doctor. Though the surgery was successful, he was still fragile, needing to avoid stress and exertion. They had kept him from Rosalie, but he defied their wishes.
Rosalie’s heart, usually encased in ice, wavered at the sight of Yancy, the one who had always been weak yet her staunch protector.
At that moment, Yancy glared at Jennifer, his voice sharp. “If you hadn’t confined me, I wouldn’t have had to rush.” The butler, under orders, had barred his way, but Yancy had slipped past. Luckily, Rosalie was still within reach.
Without delay, Yancy produced a card and pressed it into Rosalie’s hand. “Rosalie, I’ve heard about your family’s plight. I’ve set aside some savings over the years. Please, take this, should you find yourself in need.”
Holding the card, Rosalie felt a warmth in her chest. In a family of strangers, Yancy was the only one who truly cared. it made all her efforts–researching his illness, ensuring his surgery’s success–worthwhile. Now, as she left, Yancy was her only concern.
Seeing Yancy’s generosity, Jennifer’s face pinched with anxiety. “You foolish boy, that’s your only card, with at least ten grand in it! Why give it to her?
She’s not even your real sister!”
Yuri, feigning innocence, couldn’t help but worry. “Wow, Yancy is so generous to Rosalie. I’ve been home for days, and he hasn’t even spoken to me
much.”
Yosef, sensing Yuri’s slight, immediately defended her. “Come on, man, that’s just too biased! You’re so cold to your own sister, yet you lavish attention on that impostor.”
“You!” Yancy fumed, his anger palpable.
Seeing Yancy upset, Rosalie’s eyes darkened. She snatched a glass of water and splashed it directly in Yosef’s face.
“Hey! Rosalie! How dare you!” Yosef, heir to the Lennon family, had never been so humiliated, and he shouted in rage.
But Rosalie’s gaze was icy. “Yosef, this is the Moreno residence. Who are you to yell at the head of the Moreno family? Yancy just had surgery and can’t afford the stress. Watch your tongue!”
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Chapter 2
Yosef, used to leveraging his family’s friendship with the Morenos, often lingered at their home. Initially to pester Rosalie, he had lately shamelessly attached himself to Yuri, growing presumptuous, even daring to disrespect Yancy. He truly overstepped.
Realizing his blunder and noting the displeasure on Curtis and Jennifer’s faces, Yosef retreated.
Yuri seized the moment to stir trouble. “Mother, Father, even if it’s to defend Yancy, Rosalie’s actions were outrageous. Splashing water on guests? That’s beyond rude.”
Rosalie, unwilling to waste more breath on them, handed the card back to Yancy. “Yancy, your health comes first. Use this for your supplements. Keep the money for yourself.”
“Rosalie…” Yancy tried to resist, but Rosalie’s grip was firm. He couldn’t break free.
Rosalie smiled sincerely at Yancy, “I appreciate the thought, but Yancy, don’t worry about me, I don’t need money, It’s you who needs to take care of your health when I’m gone.” With that, she released his hand.
Yancy, still worried, tried to insist, but Rosalie was already walking away with a casual stride.
Yosef, grumbling to himself, “Not short on money? Even now, still pretending to be rich. Rosalie, you really know how to play the part!” He had harbored this complaint for years and finally let it slip.
Yet, Yosef felt a twinge of discomfort. Rosalie’s parting gesture–splashing water on him–left him feeling frustrated and exposed.
Seeing Yosef drenched, Yuri quickly offered a handkerchief to dry him off.
Jennifer, spying the card back in Yancy’s possession, quickly snatched it. “Thank goodness she had the decency to refuse. Otherwise, it would have been
a disaster.”
Outside, Rosalie noted the Moreno family’s driver made no move to offer her a ride, so she decided to call an Uber. To her surprise, a sleek black sports car, its brand discreet yet its presence commanding, pulled up just then.
Though the car’s logo was subtle, the engine’s purr betrayed its exclusivity. Under the sunlight, the black paint gleamed with a brilliance that hinted at hidden luxury.
A glance at the tires and rims confirmed their high–end origins. This car was no ordinary vehicle; it was a custom creation by a wealthy individual, likely as valuable as a Bugatti or Lamborghini.
Rosalie assumed an important figure had arrived. But to her astonishment, the man who emerged was shabby, with dark circles under his eyes.
He appeared no more than a few years older than her, yet his unshaven face and disheveled appearance contrasted starkly with his bright, piercing eyes. Upon seeing Rosalie, his eyes widened in recognition. “You must be Rosalie?”
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