Chapter 35
35:
After a pause, Shepard added, “This is your cousin, Lennon Harper, your uncle Ableson’s son. He’s studying abroad but should be back soon. Beside him is his sister, your cousin Audrey Harper, also studying overseas and set to graduate soon.”
Brenna nodded, understanding that young people with busy careers couldn’t always rush home. She didn’t take it personally. After all, she had her own commitments—tomorrow, she had to visit Vincent Mitchell, Ethan’s grandfather, to assess his health.
Seated beside Brenna, Giselle held her hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “They’ll all return eventually, and you’ll get to know them in time. I haven’t been there for you all these years, so I don’t even know what you like to eat. That’s why I had the chef prepare a little of everything tonight. I heard you rarely got proper meals at the Barretts. How could they treat my daughter that way? Don’t worry; your father and brothers will make them pay for what they did to you.”
She gently stroked Brenna’s hair, her expression full of guilt. “You’ve suffered too much. From now on, whatever you need, just say the word. I’ve already arranged for a new batch of clothes to be delivered to you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Brenna appreciated the gesture, though she still wasn’t used to such closeness. She kept her response polite, offering a small smile.
As dish after dish was brought to the table—an extravagant spread—Brenna felt, for the first time, the warmth of a family that genuinely cared about her.
Meanwhile, on the third floor, Rosie sat cross-legged on her bed, video-chatting with Sylvie and Vivian. She vented her frustration to her two closest friends, deliberately skipping dinner so the Harper family would notice her absence. She wanted them to know she was upset. She wouldn’t come down to eat unless someone personally invited her.
Sylvie, always scheming, suddenly perked up. “Brenna probably doesn’t know how to ride a horse, right? There’s an equestrian competition on the 15th. My dad got us some invitations. Why don’t you invite her there and see how she embarrasses herself?”
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Vivian immediately jumped on the idea. “That’s perfect! We can all go together. Let Brenna see how different we are from her. She won’t fit in.” For the first time that evening, Rosie smiled.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Rachael entered, pushing a small dining cart. “Hungry? Dinner has already started downstairs. I noticed you hadn’t gone down, so I brought some food here for you.”
Rosie’s smile turned sugary sweet. “You’re the best, Rachael. By the way, what are they talking about downstairs?”
Rachael set the plates down and began arranging them on the table. “Your father is introducing the family members to Miss Brenna Harper.”
Rosie’s expression shifted as an idea took shape in her mind. “Neither Ernst nor Dalton is home yet, right?”
Rachael, busy straightening the silverware, nodded. “Mr. Ernst Harper is handling company affairs, and Mr. Dalton Harper is tied up with work. Miss Brenna Harper is here to stay, so there’s no urgency for them to come back today to see her.”
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