Devoted Love:The Billionaire's Precious Wife
Chapter 691

Chapter 691: Chapter 691

"Even if you hadn’t bent over backwards to get close to them, just based on the love of the past eighteen years, you’re still the apple of their eyes. Take a good look at yourself. Since I’ve returned to this family, have your living expenses been cut back at all?"

"No, but I’ve had less than you, Rosemary," Serena shot back angrily. "Mom, Dad, my brother and sister-in-law, grandparents—do they treat you the same as they treat me?"

"Isn’t what they’ve given you over these eighteen years enough?" Rosemary’s gaze turned icy as she suddenly realized this person was too greedy.

"Let’s put it this way: if they bought you a purse and they got me the same one, I wouldn’t have any complaints. But they order you hundreds of limited edition pieces! They give you a credit card with no spending limit! They hand over the company for you to manage, let you call the shots on everything, and even when there’s a gala, I’m not invited! How can you say they treat me like family with such blatant favoritism?"

Rosemary knew exactly which event Serena was referring to.

"Not taking you is for your own good."

Serena scoffed. "Then why are you always included? Are they not good to you?"

"I serve my purpose."

"So what you’re saying is, I’m useless and just drag them down?"

"If that’s how you want to interpret it."

Serena nearly laughed out of sheer frustration.

"Rosemary, do you know what I hate about you? I hate that holier-than-thou attitude of yours! As if you’re the only one capable of handling things, while I’m just trash in comparison!"

Rosemary didn’t say anything.

"All I want is to stay in this family, not to be cast aside," Serena’s voice broke, her distress palpable. "Why is that so hard? Why does it have to be so difficult?"

Rosemary watched her unravel, unable to help but ask, "What’s so hard about it? Is someone driving you away? Has anyone treated you like trash?"

Serena lifted her eyes to meet Rosemary’s steady gaze.

"Does anyone look down on you because I understand medicine and you don’t? Has anyone stopped you from going to school because you’re not a straight-A student? When the family visited me at school, did they not visit you too? Isn’t what they’ve done so far enough? What more do you want? Should I have a Romeo, and you should have one too?"

Serena’s tears halted, stunned.

"Even if I hadn’t come back, Romeo wouldn’t have fallen for you. That night, he came to the Collins family to call off your engagement."

Serena’s expression froze.

Call off the engagement?

"He told me himself," Rosemary locked eyes with Serena, enunciating each word. "It wasn’t me who stole your man or your things. What’s yours can never be taken by anyone else, and what’s not meant for you will leave you eventually."

Serena couldn’t believe it. That night, Romeo brought so many gifts to the Collins family to break off the engagement with her.

Then why did he later change his story, claiming it was to visit his fiancée?

Could it be that by then, he had already fallen for Rosemary at first sight?

With that thought, Serena’s heart twisted in unwillingness as she scrutinized Rosemary.

What was so great about her that everyone—including Romeo, her parents and grandparents, even her brother and sister-in-law—favored her?

Was it just because of blood ties and those few skills she possessed?

Just then, Rosemary’s phone buzzed. It was Romeo calling.

She tapped to answer, hearing Romeo’s charming voice on the other end.

"How’s your grandpa feeling?"

"There’s been a bit of a mishap."

Hearing this, Serena’s face shifted hues, anxious that Rosemary might sully her image in Romeo’s eyes.

"Something wrong? I’m just outside. I could take him to the hospital to get checked out," Romeo offered with concern.

"No need, I’ll have Uncle Bard drive him later. Have you arrived?" Rosemary whispered back. "Wait for me a moment."

"Alright."

Rosemary hung up the phone and glanced at Serena, preparing to leave.

"Rosemary!" Serena suddenly called out, unable to hold back her question. "If Romeo wasn’t in the picture, would you be friends with me?"

Rosemary stopped in her tracks and gave her a cold look.

"You should ask yourself—from the first day I returned to this house, did you ever consider being friends with me?"

Initially, Serena was full of hostility towards her.

And as time went on, her animosity only intensified.

"How many times have you schemed behind my back? I can’t be bothered with you. First, I think it’s a waste of time and unnecessary. Second, I look down on your petty tactics. Third, my life is more than just these trivial matters.

Why waste your years on me? Find something you’re passionate about, love someone who truly loves you, and strive to better yourself. Isn’t that much more worthwhile than sitting here, wracking your brain with jealousy and envy?"

Serena stood rooted to the spot, watching Rosemary’s retreating figure, perhaps understanding why everyone liked her.

It was like a moment ago, she despised Rosemary so fiercely, but now, the hatred seemed to have lessened.

After Rosemary left the parlor, Eunice stepped out from the corner where she had overheard the entire conversation crystal clear. She hadn’t expected Serena, who always appeared so sunny and upbeat, to have so many cunning thoughts behind her back.

It seemed she was just afraid of not being able to stay in this family, causing her to make mistakes.

As for Rosemary’s magnanimity and vision, it made Eunice see her in a new light, improving her impression significantly.

Eunice walked to the doorway of the parlor, leaning casually against the frame, and called out, "Serena."

Serena, still in a daze from the earlier conversation, was startled to see her aunt and quickly said, "Aunt Eunice, what are you doing here?"

"Just passing by, and I overheard you and your sister," Eunice began.

Serena’s face instantly paled. "Aunt Eunice, let me explain."

"I’ll understand the situation well enough. Rose is right. Nobody in this family sees you as an outsider, but you’re not allowed to pull any more tricks behind people’s backs."

Even though Eunice didn’t know the specifics of what Serena had done, Rosemary’s words were proof enough that Serena had been up to no good in the past.

"Aunt Eunice, I was foolish before. It won’t happen again." Serena was worried about leaving a bad impression on her aunt.

"Can you promise me you’ll change?" Eunice looked into her eyes seriously. "Look me in the eyes and tell me."

Serena bit her lip and nodded. "I can."

"Then I’ll trust you this time," Eunice declared confidently. "You should count yourself lucky to have a generous sister like Rose. If you had to deal with someone more conniving, you’d really suffer."

Serena’s gaze fell slightly.

"You’re not uncomfortable with me praising her, right?"

Serena shook her head quickly.

"People like her because she’s honest, brave, kind, unpretentious, intelligent, composed, capable, and she doesn’t show off," Eunice continued. Then she turned to Serena. "But you—when did you become so sensitive?"