Chapter 1040: Chapter 1039
"You have no right to talk about my childhood." Serena suddenly burst out, "If you could treat me so well back then, why can’t you do the same now? Why did everything change when Rosemary came back??"
They could have loved and valued her just like they did in their childhood, but they chose not to.
In the end, it was all about favoring their own flesh and blood!!
"Rose suffered outside for eighteen years, what’s wrong with us wanting to make it up to her??" Bernard said with deep pain, "Are we supposed to neglect her and only be nice to you? Is that what you call fair???"
"You shower her with a hundred candies, but toss only a few my way, is that your idea of fairness??" Serena cried out in anguish, "Just because you think she never tasted candies before, that she should be compensated with a hundred at once. because I’ve had my share in the past, you give me just a few? You think that these few should be enough for me, that I should be content and grateful. that I shouldn’t feel any sense of loss, right???"
Bernard looked at her disappointedly, "In the past, you had more than a hundred candies. You grew up carefree and happy, never worrying about food or clothing, while Rose was dependent on the kindness of strangers, enduring hardship. You were the darling of the family, living in luxury, with people shielding you from the storms of life; Rose had to fend for herself. You got into high society through family connections easily, while Rose made it through her own painstaking efforts, step by hard-earned step."
As Bernard said this, he continued with deep sorrow, "We owe her so much, and giving her only a hundred candies, and you think that’s too much??"
Serena fell silent.
"Or do you think that she shouldn’t have come back to this family, that we should treat you, who has no blood relation, as if you were our own? Would that be fair to you??"
Serena seemed to be struck by his words, which revealed the darkest thoughts in her heart. She remained quiet for a while before finally saying, "It’s useless whatever you say now. I gave you a chance, and you didn’t cherish it. Since you’re so eager to make it up to her, go to hell and make it up there!"
She pressed a button on her wheelchair, intending to turn and leave, but then stopped as something occurred to her, "Oh, and those Chesters, she had dealt with them before, but this time, she’s facing an upgraded version now. I do hope she lasts a while; otherwise, it’s no fun!"
With those words, Serena left contentedly.
Blood from the head and ears indicated the assailant’s blows were incredibly forceful.
To be able to beat someone like this with bare hands.
Even twisted his neck.
What kind of brute strength did the assailant have??
She then glanced at the security chief, Amos, whose death was equally tragic. After a long silence, she stood up and made her way to the church.
Lurking in the shadows, Jack whispered to his men, "When we leave, you two bring Amos and Cookie into the car. The boss wants to give them a grand funeral."
"Jack, how did you know?" one of his men were surprised. They had indeed seen the boss linger by the bodies of the two for a while, but she hadn’t said a word, not even a glance at them. How did Jack understand the boss’ intentions? Knew to bring the bodies back for a grand funeral? How did Jack figure it out?
"This is called tacit understanding!" Jack seemed somewhat proud, proud of the unique rapport he had developed between him and the boss over the many years!
Rosemary stepped into the dilapidated church. It was empty and desolate, clearly having been abandoned for a long time, with dust settling over everything.
Several large, old stained-glass windows let in a grim light. Overhead, a grand chandelier swayed gently in the wind. The entire church was lit dimly by the light from the worn sconces mounted on the several pillars.
In the center of the church, a few steps led to an altar where Serena and her underlings were.
Serena, sitting in her wheelchair, looked down from her elevated position with a smug grin at Rosemary. "You’ve come?"
Five meters from the altar, Rosemary’s grandparents were tied to a pillar on the left, while three bodyguards were bound to another nearby. Her parents were restrained against a pillar on the right. Between them lay a narrow aisle.
Seeing them all kneeling, with hands and feet bound behind them, Rosemary’s gaze grew colder.
"Rose, get out of here, she’s gone mad." Cornelia urged anxiously. "She’s got helpers. In less than a minute, they twisted Cookie’s limbs and neck, broke them all."
Rosemary showed no fear, but instead looked displeased at the people on the altar. "You broke your promise."
Cookie was innocent.
This person had said that if she obediently went to the old mansion, they wouldn’t harm Cookie.
But Cookie had still been tragically killed.
"Just two bodyguards dead and you’re already upset? Soon, it’ll be your whole family." Serena said with a playful, taunting smile. "It’s been a while since we sisters had a face-to-face chat. Today, we’ll talk to our heart’s content."
"Release them first," Rosemary commanded, her voice as cool and detached as ever.
Serena’s smile vanished, replaced by a venomous glare and the thunderous fury of a storm brewing, "You dare to bargain with me now? Open your eyes and see clearly. Those bound up here are your grandparents, your parents! And soon, your five brothers will join you in death."
As the thought crossed her mind, Serena’s twisted smile returned, "You still have a chance to beg for mercy."
Rosemary curled her lips in a mocking smile, saying dismissively, "Beg for mercy? For a quick death?"
"Well, that’s not guaranteed." Serena’s laughter grew even more jubilant, "But if I’m in a good mood, I might make their deaths quick."
Rosemary’s gaze shifted to her grandparents beside her. There were only two men guarding them, one named Stinger, the other unknown, but probably with average skills.
"Don’t even think of playing tricks." Serena seemed to read Rosemary’s thoughts, chuckling, "I’m confident enough to guard them with just two men because today, none of you will escape."
"You’re quite confident," Rosemary looked at her nonchalantly, asking calmly, "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Without any hurry to save her family, Rosemary stood there casually, looking up at the towering figure of Serena on the altar.
"When you first left me with the Collins family, did you want to outshine me, or was it a show for your family, to make them think you were kind and understanding?"
Under normal circumstances, Rosemary wouldn’t have wasted a breath on such a foolish question, but today, she patiently said, "I just didn’t want to break my family’s heart. They’ve lived with you for eighteen years; there’s bound to be deep affection."
If Rosemary had come home and immediately pushed Serena out, her parents might not have said anything, but they would have felt for Serena, experienced sorrow and loss. And that’s human nature.
"For this reason, you agreed to let me stay in this family? To treat me as an equal with you, as a Collins lady?" Serena was incredulous.
Rosemary didn’t mind.
"It’s you who’s been swayed by slander, acting erratically, one moment sane, the next hysterical."
"How dare you call my mother’s words slander." Serena exploded, as if a landmine had been triggered, "You have no idea how much I regret not listening to her."
"Not listening to her? While the Collins family still held affection for you, to use them as a stepping stone to another wealthy household?"
Serena’s eyes widened in astonishment; how did Rosemary know what her birth mother had said?
"While the family still adored and trusted you, you aimed to milk this household for all it’s worth to raise your own status. or perhaps, to find an opportunity to kill me and return to your life of unrivaled adoration and unlimited glory?"