At that very moment, Irene, Louisa, and Trinity were literally draped in Rosa originals-head to toe.
Elliana’s bank account could humble half the room-and that was being generous.
Sure, the Evans name came with comfort and money, but not all of them were self-made. A good number relied on generous monthly allowances to stay afloat. And while the allowances were the kind people would kill for, beside Elliana’s personal…
Fortune, they looked laughable. Jeff had once mocked Elliana for adopting a stray cat, claiming she couldn’t even afford to feed herself. Who was laughing now?
Previously, Irene had made sly jabs about Elliana being unfit to be the Evans matriarch, while Trinity had dished out faux kindness just to feel superior.
Now the three of them-Jeff, Irene, and Trinity-sat there red-faced, swallowing every smug word they’d ever said.
Elliana could easily fund a nationwide rescue mission for stray cats and still have change to spare. The idea that she couldn’t support herself was laughable.
Running Rosa like a global powerhouse proved one thing-Elliana had more than enough backbone to lead the Evans family.
When Elliana was already a globally recognized design force, who really cared about her SATs or which college she would get into? From the moment the truth about Elliana being Rosa hit the air, Trinity had been silently combusting with envy. Year after year, she had shelled out thousands on Rosa’s latest collections, bragging to her socialite friends and claiming Rosa as her ultimate idol.
Now that Rosa had a face-and that face was Elliana’s-Trinity felt humiliated, like she’d been duped. If only she could rewind time and take back every word of praise. Elliana was supposed to be ordinary-ugly, even. How did that nobody turn out to be the brain behind an empire?
Trinity’s grip on the spotlight felt like it was slipping. How was she supposed to outshine Elliana now? What if the admiration she’d soaked up all her life started shifting in Elliana’s direction? Cole still wasn’t hers, and if she lost her audience now, what was left? Being adored was her lifeline. Watching it slip through her fingers wasn’t something she could stomach. Jealousy twisted in her chest, tight and bitter, as if the ground beneath her was tilting.
Unbothered by the silent war breaking out around him, Ruben kept singing Elliana’s praises like she was the most precious thing he’d ever seen-until he nearly lost his voice.
The longer he went on, the more Elliana shifted uncomfortably. She almost reached over to tell him to take a break-it was getting late. Out of nowhere, Louisa chimed in with a warm smile, “Elliana, do you mind if I ask you a favor? I hope it’s not a bother.”
That got Elliana’s attention. She glanced over, curious. Louisa was usually the calm one-graceful, polished, never ruffling feathers.
Hearing her speak up like this? That was unexpected.
“Of course,” Elliana said, offering a polite smile. “What do you need?”
“You probably don’t realize it, Elliana, but Rosa’s clothes are basically our family’s holy grail. Every season, it’s a mad dash to grab the newest drops,” Louisa said, her warm smile making the words feel like a hug.
While Irene came off like a walking eye-roll, Louisa carried herself with the ease of a kind soul.
Elliana offered a polite smile, quietly encouraging Louisa to continue.
With a sweep of her hand toward Irene and Trinity, Louisa added, “Check us out, Elliana. Head to toe in Rosa. You’ve got yourself a loyal fan club right here.”
At Louisa’s words, a jolt of discomfort ran through Irene and Trinity like static.
Word had just gotten out that Elliana was Rosa, and Ruben had wasted no time gathering everyone before Irene or Trinity could change out of their Rosa gear. If Irene and Trinity had had time, they would’ve burned the tags-anything to keep Elliana from basking in their unintended endorsement. Louisa’s praise turned the air thick with secondhand embarrassment for them.
Trinity swallowed her annoyance since Louisa was older. Irene, about the same age as Louisa, wasn’t so subtle. Her icy stare cut straight through Louisa, silently ordering her to zip it.
Back when Irene ran the household, Louisa hadn’t dared make a peep, always playing meek. But now, Louisa was getting bold, and Irene was itching to shut her down.
Louisa didn’t even flinch at Irene’s glare. She kept smiling at Elliana like nothing had happened, her voice still as sweet as syrup. “Who would’ve guessed Rosa’s actually one of us? I can’t contain my excitement! Elliana, any chance we get first dibs on Rosa’s new seasonal drops? That’s not too much to ask, right?”
Elliana smiled and said, “Of course. If everyone in the family’s such a big fan, I’ll make sure you get early access to whatever Rosa puts out next. And if anyone needs something custom, just reach out. I’ll throw in a 20% discount, no strings attached.”
Louisa clapped her hands with glee. “That’s awesome!”
“Really appreciate that, Elliana,” Trinity chimed in. Even though she was fuming under the surface, she managed to keep her act together. She’d never openly beefed with Elliana before, so she had to play nice. But Irene was a whole different…
Days of bad blood with Elliana made it impossible to pretend. Her scowl could curdle milk.
Jeff noticed Irene’s sour expression and let out a snort. “Charging your own family? That discount’s a joke. I don’t know how you say that with a straight face.”
Jeff barely got the words out before a cane came swinging and smacked his shin. Whatever support he thought he’d gain? Nothing.
“You absolute blockhead!” Ruben shouted, scowling. “Elliana is world-renowned. People throw money at her just for a chance at a fitting. And here she is, cutting us a deal, and you’re whining for freebies?” Pain flared through Jeff’s leg, and he shut his mouth fast. One more word, and that cane would probably find his ribs next.
Jeff figured the beating was over, but just as he started to relax-whack, another hit came out of nowhere.
“Ouch!” Rubbing his leg, Jeff exclaimed, “Come on! I didn’t say anything! What was that for?”
“You fool!” Ruben huffed. “You didn’t flinch the first time. It appeared I went easy. So, I had to hit harder to ensure you learn a lesson. Next time, maybe you’ll think before you speak.”
Jeff’s eyes stung, but no tears came-just a lump in his throat and frustration pounding in his chest. That first strike had stung like hell, but he’d swallowed the pain to save face. He hadn’t wanted to seem soft, but if he had known that acting tough would earn him a second beating, he would’ve screamed at the first hit.
Jeff’s thoughts were scrambled, bitterness and frustration bubbling under the surface. With his head low, he stayed frozen, not daring to act recklessly anymore. Ever since Elliana stepped into the picture, it felt like he’d become public enemy number one. Every mistake, every snide comment-he took the fall. It was eating him alive.
Irene’s chest tightened when she caught Jeff’s defeated look. Her instincts screamed at her to jump in, to defend him, but the last time she opened her mouth, she paid for it too. So, she stayed silent, fists clenched.
Once Ruben was done laying into Jeff, he turned with a full-face smile toward Elliana. “Now, Elliana, tell me. Life with the Jones family hadn’t been smooth sailing. How did you manage to turn all that into Rosa?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.