Chapter 61
“Who is this woman? Why is Wade treating her so specially?”
“Seems they knew each other before, and Wade came here today just for her.”
“So all this time when they mentioned ‘Miss Sinclair, they meant her? Then what’s that Rosie Sinclair even doing up there- how does she have the nerve to show her face here?”
“I was sitting right next to them just now–you wouldn’t believe how high and mighty they acted. Turns out, Wade wasn’t even looking for them in the first place!”
Kevin and Avery stood frozen, completely blindsided by this sudden turn of events.
To make matters worse, the surrounding conversations were deliberately loud, as if meant for the two of them to hear, putting them squarely on the spot.
Prideful as ever, Kevin couldn’t stand being ignored like this. His fists clenched abruptly as he glared straight ahead, barely containing his fury.
Both he and Avery had heard of Wade’s legendary reputation, but neither had ever seen him in person, let alone known anyone in their circle who had
Drawing a deep breath, he clenched his teeth and strode toward Zina.
“You silly girl, why didn’t you even tell me you knew Mr. Sylvan? When you wanted to move out, we just said some things in the heat of the moment we didn’t really mean it. But you actually took it to heart and stayed away all these days. Are you still mad at us?” he asked, feigning concern.
“That’s right, dear, you’ve made your point already. Isn’t it about time you came home? Your room i and we talk about you every single day.”
Avery joined in, putting on an act as if she had truly been pining for Zina
is still waiting for you.
Zina looked up at them–whose concern she knew was only a facade–then abruptly shifted her gaze toward Rosie.
“And what about her?” she pressed on, “You both know perfectly well why I left, don’t you?”
Her lip trembled as she bit down on it, eyes shining with unshed tears.
She looked like someone who wanted to believe in family but had been hurt too many times to try.
On stage, Rosie stood completely alone. When she caught her parents‘ guilty glances, the truth hit her like a slap.
Her hands balled into fists, her jaw locked–and she turned away, pretending not to hear.
“This was supposed to be my moment!” she seethed, voice trembling with fury. Why did Zina have to ruin it?
She should’ve stayed locked away–rotted in that cell. Why did she dare come back?‘
The resentment coiled inside her, a venomous vine twisting tighter with every breath.
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Chapter 6)
Avery felt a twinge of pity for Rosie. She gently rugged at Kevin’s sleeve and whispered sonly, “Forget it.”
But Kevin whipped his head around and glared daggers at her.
When he turned back to Zina, he once again plastered on the facade of a doting, concerned father.
“Don’t worry, dear You’ll always have a place in this family. As for your sister, I’ll talk some sense into her–you know she’s been out in the world for so many years, it’s only natural her thinking’s gotten a bit… skewed.”
Kevin’s show of fatherly concern was witnessed by all, and the skeptical crowd fell silent once more.
In an instant, all eves in the room locked onto Zina.
A faint smile still played on her lips as she tilted her head slightly, looking at Kevin and speaking in a thoughtful tone.
“Well then… I suppose I’ll really have to give it some serious thought, won’t I It’s rather bothersome, actually. After all, you both know perfectly well what happened before, don’t you?”
Scandals of elite families were nothing new, but it was rare to get a front–row seat to the drama at an event like this. Nearly everyone was all ears, eagerly awaiting the next revelation.
Kevin’s mask of composure cracked at the edges, his smile a taut wire stretched too thin.
A measured breath steadied him before he spoke, each word weighted like stones placed carefully in the gap between them. “Come home, dear Name your price. Anything you want, it’s yours”
Under the eager gazes of the crowd. Zina’s enigmatic smile only deepened.
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