[


    BONUS


    Chapter


    for reaching 800 PS! Thank you all! ??]


    === ?? ===


    [EVE]


    Before I could respond, Victor stepped forward, his expression unreadable, yet his tone held an edge of warning.


    "With all due respect, Eve is now a Rosette legally, and if she were absent from this shoot, the press would take it as yet another scandal. Are you prepared to stir the pot once more, right after the debacle at your daughter''s birthday party?"


    Sullivan fell silent, the weight of Victor''s words sinking in. In that moment, I felt the tension crackling between us, the division as clear as a line drawn in the sand.


    I stood firm, knowing that no amount of disdain from Sullivan or Sophia could change what Sinir had decreed: I was a Rosette, whether they liked it or not.


    "Enough!" Sinir''s cane struck the marble floor with a resounding crack, his voice slicing through the tension like a de. "Will you continue this bickering in front of our guests? Where have your manners gone?"


    Silence settled over the room. Sinir''s wordsmanded absolute authority; even élysée Luxe, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, quickly looked away, pretending not to have seen or heard anything.


    Turning to the photographer, Sinir nodded firmly. "Our family is hardly the perfect, picture-book example you might wish to capture. But, I suspect we''re not the only ones. And I trust that what is heard and seen here will remain here."


    It was no polite request. It was a clear warning, and everyone felt its weight.


    I certainly did, and from the looks exchanged by the élysée Luxe crew, they did as well.


    "Of course," the team leader of élysée Luxe replied, his tone measured. "We''re here solely for the photos and perhaps a few follow-up questions. Nothing more will be published."


    Sinir gave a short nod. "Then, let''s get on with it."


    One of the staff stepped forward, clipboard in hand. "We''ll begin with the family portraits. Afterward, we''ll move to individual shots, allowing each family member time to change outfits for scenes in other locations," she exined, guiding us each to our positions. Continue your journey with empire


    The photographer adjusted his lens and prepared to capture the


    "perfect family."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Sinir was seated at the center, the high-backed chair imposing and regal, almost like a throne, which only amplified his presence as he settled in. His hand rested on the ornate armrest, his posture dignified but rxed, a look of quiet authority radiating from him.


    Sebastian sat at his side, calm andposed, adding a sense of warmth to the otherwise intimidating setup.


    I was positioned on Sinir''s left, trying to match hisposed demeanor, though my simple attire felt practicalpared to the grandeur on the other side.


    To his right, Sullivan, Sophia, and Sophie stood like figures from a portrait of opulence, their outfits extravagant and eye-catching, adorned with meticulous details meant to impress.


    Standing there, I couldn''t shake the feeling that, next to them, I looked more like an attendant at Sinir''s side than a member of the family.


    Not that it bothered me.


    The next arrangement was on a spacious, pristine white couch that amodated us allfortably, with Sinir seated squarely at the center. I was positioned beside Sophie this time, while Sullivan and Sophia took their ces on Sinir''s right.


    As the photographer adjusted the cameras, a soft whisper reached my ear.


    "I hope you''re enjoying yourself, Eve. It won''tst much longer," Sophie murmured, her voice smooth but edged with something sharper.


    I chuckled, leaning in just enough to respond. "Perhaps, but in the meantime, call me Aunt. It''s disrespectful."


    Her smile flickered, dropping just as the camera captured her surprise.


    "Miss Sophie, a bit more rxed, please," the photographer called out, "and not too wide a smile. Someone, please adjust her posture; she''s slouching a bit."


    I fought back a smirk as her face flushed, the subtle tension between us now immortalized in the shot.


    I should probably take a copy of that shot and disy it in my room—just to make fun of her. Or, even better, send it to her directly afterward.


    === ?? ===


    The head of the élysée Luxe team today was Eddie, a top photographer with a ster reputation for capturing luxurious family moments.


    He was known for making even the most awkward smiles look natural and knew how to spotlight his subjects beautifully.


    However, even Eddie had his limits, and with a family like the Rosettes, not even his years of experience could make the impossible look effortless.


    "Alright, let''s try a more rxed smile this time," Eddie announced, not addressing anyone directly but clearly directing his gaze at Sophie, the Rosette heiress. "Keep your posture natural, shoulders back, and . . . less of the pageant smile," he gently urged.


    Sophie, however, seemed determined to outshine everyone, smiling her biggest, brightest, and entirely over-the-top grin.


    She sat up extra straight, tilting her head dramatically as if she were at a g. Eddie''s subtle hints flew right past her, her eyes fixed forward with a sparkle that practically screamed


    , "Look at me!"


    Eve, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content with a calm,id-back smile, blending effortlessly into the family portrait.


    She appeared so naturallyposed that anyone ncing at the scene might mistake her for the true heiress, while Sophie''s more dramatic disy made her look like she was the one trying to fit in.


    The contrast was almostedic—the subtle confidence of Eve''s presence stood out just as much as Sophie''s eagerness to impress.


    Of course, Eve was naturally rxed during photoshoots and interviews. She''d been in the spotlight her whole life, practically raised to y the role of the "fake heiress" with all the poise that required.


    Sophie, on the other hand . . . Well, let''s just say she looked a little like she''d just been promoted from maid to model overnight.


    It was her first major photoshoot, and it showed—she was trying her best, but the difference between her and Eve was like night and day.


    One of the assistants leaned over and whispered to Eddie, "What should we do, boss? She''s really . . .mitted to this look."


    Eddie let out a little sigh, clearly weighing his options. "We''re on a schedule, and we''ve got to keep things moving. I guess we''ll have to rely on a little extra editing magic to bnce her out," he said, shaking his head but with a wry smile.


    "Alright, everyone, take five! It''s time for a quick break, and then we''ll start individual shots. Go change and we''ll regroup soon."


    However, it hadn''t even been thirty minutes passed that anothermotion broke out.