Devoted Love:The Billionaire's Precious Wife

"I still can't believe she was the ringleader of some secret society," Lucas exclaimed, clearly shocked.

"This whole situation feels like it runs deeper. But with Martha gone, there's some truth to the saying

'what goes around comes around'!"

Alma was stunned that Rosemary had gone through so much and yet, there she was, sitting pretty as a picture, not a hair out of place.

Alma thought, "Was she even human? Her luck was just too unbelievable! I mean, we're talking about a kidnapping and a ticking time bomb. And she made it out alive. It's just mind-boggling!"

"So, that leaves just Erik still breathing," Lucas mused, then added with resolve, "This man, we can't let him off easy! We have to grill him, find out if he intentionally switched the kids to give his daughter a

better life."

"I'll get to the bottom of it once he wakes up."

Louisa hadn't shared with them that there was more to the old fire incident, that a puppet master was still lurking in the shadows.

Lucas and Beverly assumed that it was all Erik and Martha's selfish scheme to switch two kids.

"Wake him up?" Lucas was confused by her words. "What's he doing sleeping at a time like this? Why don't you shake him awake and give him a piece of your mind?"

"He's not sleeping, he's in a coma. It's a long story, but you know Rose's got healing hands. Luckily she stepped in, and now Erik's out cold until we can question him about what really happened back then."

Lucas and Beverly's eyes shifted back to Rosemary.

"Absolutely, Rose's skills are legendary," Lucas couldn't help praising Rosemary's medical prowess,especially since she had saved his own parents.

Beverly smiled and chimed in, "Rose's truly a jack-of-all-trades. Whoever ends up marrying her is one lucky guy."

"But with the holiday rush and all, we need to keep a close eye on Erik, make sure he doesn't slip through our fingers!" Lucas cautioned, pausing before adding, "If you need any help, just holler."

"Reflections Villa is locked down tight," Kenneth assured, clapping Lucas on the shoulder with a grin.

"No need to worry, we've got twenty guys just in his room alone!"

Lucas was surprised by the manpower. Nodding, he said, "Once he comes to and you've got the full story, let me know. I want to get justice for Rose too! If it weren't for him and Martha, Rose wouldn't

have been cast out for all those years."

"I'm gonna teach him a lesson too, let him know that you don't mess with the Collins family!"

As Beverly finished her sentence, Rosemary's lips curled into a sly smile, "Lucas, Beverly, you're so concerned."

Her comment drew everyone's attention, and the atmosphere tensed.

"Knowing that you have my back and want to stand up for me. as the younger generation, I'm honored, truly," Rosemary defused the situation with a swift change in tone, easing Lucas and Beverly's expressions.

"What are you saying? You're our niece. Who else are we supposed to care about, Erik? You're the family's treasure now," Lucas said heartily.

The conversation then drifted to work matters and catching up on old acquaintances with Kenneth.

Feeling the conversation was wearing on her, Rosemary stood up and excused herself, "I'll be right back,just need to make a phone call."

Actually, she didn't have to make a phone call at all.

After finding an excuse to leave, she made her way to the garden.

Romeo had already messaged her, saying he would come over to join her for dinner.

"Rose!"

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Alma caught up to Rosemary, "Can we talk?"

She'd noticed earlier that Rosemary was bored and didn't want to stay in the living room, hence the excuse to step outside.

Rosemary didn't have much to discuss with her. As she started to walk away, Alma said, "I'm not like Serena, I don't play her childish games. Let's wipe the slate clean on the past. With Serena out of the

picture, I think we could be great friends."

Before Rosemary could respond, Alma presumptuously added, "Even if we can't be good friends, there's no need to be enemies, right? I really admire you. You and Serena are worlds apart."

Rosemary looked up, eyeing her shrewd and confident cousin.

At Mr. Eugene's last birthday, Alma haughtily challenged her to a violin duel, claiming they'd see who Jamie would take on as a pupil.

They both played a piece that Regan and Jamie had performed together—The Life.

Rosemary was clearly superior, but Alma, not accepting defeat, insisted on another round, only to lose again and had to abide by the bet: she was banned for life from the violin world and could no longer

touch anything related to the violin.

Could they really be friends after that "monumental humiliation"?

"Don't waste your time on me." Rosemary walked away without giving her another glance.

"Rose!"

Alma, unwilling to give up, called out again, "After what Serena did to you, and now that she's been kicked to the curb by the Collins family, don't you want some revenge? I know you always hold yourself

above petty acts behind the back, but I can take care of her for you. I just don't want to be your enemy.

This is my olive branch, whether you believe it or not."

"You think I'd buy that?" Rosemary's lips curled coldly. "How you deal with her is your business, don't drag me into it."

If it weren't for the fact that she was the daughter of the Collins family and held in high regard by the entire family, Alma would never have come over pretending to want to be friends.

It was because Alma couldn't beat her, she had to retreat in order to advance, to gain her trust on an emotional level, and then to destroy her.

Truthfully, Rosemary disdained even exposing such petty tricks, but Alma didn't know that and mistook her pride for aloofness.

"Even if I can't touch anything related to the violin for the rest of my life, I've never blamed you. I was simply outplayed!" Alma shouted after her retreating figure, "Isn't it better to have one more friend than one more enemy? Rosemary, I know you don't trust me, but I truly want to let bygones be bygones. We are family after all!"

Rosemary paused, turning her head slightly, her voice icy, "You and I will never be family."

The blood of the Collins family ran through her veins but they would never truly become a loving family.

Alma was taken aback, not expecting Rosemary to be so blunt.

"Keep being ungrateful, and you'll end up just like her." Rosemary dropped this line and walked away.

Alma hadn't expected Rosemary to be so resistant and wondered what methods her brothers had used to get close to her.