Chapter 259
Just then, the butler came in to report from outside the door.
"Rose, the York folks are here. Marian herself hase, and she brought along Ms. Heidi."
A flicker of disgust crossed Rose''s eyes. Ever since finding out that Heidi had set them up, she
hadn''t had a shred of affection for that woman.
She hadn''t wanted her toe over, but Heidi had gone and dragged her grandmother, Marian, into
this. The Yorks and the Hayes had been tight for generations. With Marian showing up in person,
there was no way Rose could refuse entry.
Rose immediately got up. "I''ll go greet them."
Just as she stepped out, there was Heidi in a light blue gown, supporting Marian as they walked in.
That innocently sweet face still wore a pleasant smile. "Grandma Rose, Grandmother, and I have
come to wish you a happy birthday."
Rose approached with a chuckle and warmly took Marian''s hand. "Marian, you honoring me with
your presence is such a delightful surprise."
Marian smiled back at her. "Oh, it''s no trouble at all. We have shared so many years of fondness.
It''s the least I could do."
After exchanging pleasantries, Marian nced through the crowd, searching for a particr face,
but she couldn''t spot him.
She felt a twinge of disappointment. "I heard Ian was injured and in the hospital. Hasn''t he been
discharged?"
The mere mention brought a smug smile to Rose''s face. "He''s out but went with ra to fit their
formal wear. They''ll be here soon."
As Rose''s voice trailed off, Greta announced, "Grandma Rose, Ian, and ra have arrived."
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Ian stood there in a bespoke ck suit and a sapphire blue tie, setting off his chiseled features and
striking brows. By his side, ra wore a light aqua embroidered gown that hugged and highlighted
her curves. Her wavy hair was pinned back with a wooden hair clip, with a few loose strands
framing her face. Her delicate features and ethereal presence instantly drew admiring nces even.
This was ra''s first time attending a family dinner with Ian, and she couldn''t help but feel a touch
of nervousness, clutching his arm a little tighter.
Ian caught the subtle gesture, leaning in to whisper with a teasing glint in his eyes, "Darling, where''s
all that courage fromst night when you clung to my waist, begging me not to stop?"
ra, already on edge, felt her face flush crimson at his words. Her eyes glistened as she looked
up at him, wishing she could silence his teasing.
Amused by her adorable reaction, Ian gently nudged her nose and reassured her, "Don''t worry,
love. I''m here, and no one''s going to bully you."
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With that, he escorted ra toward Rose. "Grandma Rose, I''ve brought ra back to you."
Rose''s eyes got teary as she witnessed the couple, once weathered by life''s tempests, finally
reunited. She beckoned ra over. "ra,e here."
ra approached and presented her birthday gift to Rose, her voice soft and gentle. "Grandma
Rose, happy birthday. Wishing you health and a long life."
"Of course, I should live a long and healthy life," Roseughed heartily. "I''m waiting for you two to
give me a great-grandchild, after all."
Sheughed a few more times and took out a small, exquisite box, from which she retrieved a
green bracelet and ced it on ra''s wrist. "ra, this is a little something from me to you. Wear
it well. It''ll bring you good fortune."
Heidi''s eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sight of the bracelet. She knew very well that it
was a treasure passed down through the Hayes family, meant only for thedy of the house.
What was Rose implying? Not only did Rose want ra to be with Ian, but she also seemed to be
grooming ra to be the matriarch of the Hayes family.
Heidi clenched her teeth in fury. She swore she wouldn''t let ra have her way.