Devoted Love:The Billionaire's Precious Wife

Uriah's declaration earned an eye roll from Regan. "The stuff Rose makes is leagues tastier than your grub. Besides, you think Romeo would let her step into the kitchen? The girl's got top-notch chefs at her beck and call."

"Think a bunch of chefs can hold a candle to me?" Uriah huffed, his pride bruised. After all, he was a maestro in the kitchen!

If Rosemary were to inherit his culinary mantle, both her cooking prowess and her agility would skyrocket her standard of living!

"Enough, enough, no more squabbling. Rose's the rightful heir to my legacy," Thomas interjected to mediate.

"And what? Spend her days tinkering with your gadgets and racing cars? Or turn into a hacker?"

Regan's comment ruffled Thomas's feathers. "Racing cars is a stress-buster! It's super cool for a girl to drive a race car. Just ask the live stream viewers. And what's wrong with hacking? Fancy hacking any computer on a whim."

"Zip it, will you? Some viewers are still kids, don't lead them astray! And cool? How is it cool to put a girl in danger by racing cars? Ask the viewers if they'd want such a sweet, smart, and sensible young

lady risking her neck."

"Alright, alright, I can't win with you guys. Rose—" Thomas called Rosemary over, playing the victim,

"They're picking on me!"

"Oh come on, you old fox, playing the sympathy card in front of Rose?"

"Rose, did you hear that? He insulted me. Ever since you returned to the Collins family, they've been bullying me in your absence!"

Rosemary watched them nearly ready to flip the table and bicker, a playful smirk on her lips. "Are we still eating, then?"

All the old men promptly responded, "Yes."

"This is your homecoming party, after all. We should at least have one peaceful meal."

"Exactly, we'll finish every dish!"

"Oh, spare me. Who was it just now clamoring for Rose to inherit his legacy? You're passing the buck so fast."

"Enough, all of you."

"Come on, eat your food properly, or I won't be inviting you all next time."

With just one sentence from Rosemary, seven grumpy old men instantly picked up their cutlery and started eating like well-behaved children.

"That's more like it. Isn't it nicer when everyone gets along?"

Another quip from Rosemary, and the old guys began passing dishes to each other with exaggerated politeness and fake smiles.

The reporter on the sidelines couldn't believe that the spat between these venerable gentlemen had been defused so easily by a young lady.

It really took Rosemary to step in; moments ago, she and the photographer were too scared to make a peep.

The live chat was going wild. Rosemary had managed to get seven feisty old men to toe the line.

[Rose's incredible, I'm officially a fan now! Rose, you're my idol!]

[These old dudes are hilarious, I could watch them bicker all day.]

[I'm so jealous of Rosemary, pampered and doted on by so many grandpas. Meanwhile, I just got yanked out of bed by my mom for oversleeping.]

Seeing that they were finally eating peacefully, Rosemary was about to head back to her own table when she caught sight of friends from two tables waving at her.

"Rose, over here, cheers to you!" Kelly called out, wine glass in hand, beckoning Rosemary over.

Ophelia, the sleek-haired BFF Deborah, the tomboyish Fanny with her jagged bangs, the elegant Freda with her collarbone-length hair, and the guy friends Hayes, Magee, Burgess, they all waved at Rosemary with smiles on their faces.

"All here?" Rosemary responded with a bright smile, walking over and taking the glass of red wine from Kelly. "I'm touched everyone could make it to my homecoming party. Here's to you all for making the time."

"Whoa, my dear lady, this formal politeness is new. I might need a moment to adjust," chuckled Hayes,his earring glinting. He remembered when Rosemary and Kelly visited his newly opened club, which went into complete disarray thanks to Zachary and Yolanda .

"It's us who should be toasting to you," Ophelia said with a smile, leading the others to stand and raise their glasses. "Congratulations on your big reveal. From now on, we're all looking forward to you

showing us the good life."

"Deal, no problem."

They all laughed and clinked glasses with Rosemary.

After Rosemary took a sip, Hayes quickly took her glass away. "That's enough, just a sip. No need to down it all. You've hardly had anything to eat. Go on, eat up. Did those old timers start bickering again?

Came to you to mediate?"

Rosemary smiled lightly, "That's just how they are. I'm used to it by now."

"Rose!" Joyce called out excitedly from another table, "Come over here."

"Rose," Barry said, after serving Joyce her food and noticing Rosemary approach. He picked up his glass and stood up, "Let's have a toast." New chąpter avąilable oո Draмаnоvеls.cоm

"When did you two get together?" Rosemary asked with a teasing smile.

It was kind of unexpected how things turned out. Rosemary found that her roommate Mya was dating Adair, a local rich kid with a reputation for fast cars and faster living. But here they were, Rosemary caught Mya and Adair exchanging secret handholds beneath the dinner table.

"We've been together for just about three days. Rose, you've been swamped, so we haven't had the chance to fill you in," Adair explained with a sheepish grin, standing up. "I'll take a penalty of three shots for that!"

"No need, you've got to drive Mya home later."

Rosemary clinked her glass—a stand-in for a shot glass—with theirs. From the corner of the room, a chorus of voices beckoned her.

Horace, Jeff, Jack, and Tom, among others, were all there.

"Boss, we're not good with fancy words, but congrats! Damn, we've been waiting for this day forever,"

Jack blurted out, only to be chided by the others for his lack of decorum.

"Today of all days, can't you be a bit more refined?"

"Yeah, yeah, congrats, Boss. Finally, the day has come."

They kept their voices low when shouting "Boss," wary of drawing too much attention.

Everyone raised their glasses to Rosemary, downing their drinks with gusto, and she encouraged them to help themselves to more food.

Over at the "staff table," there was Jaime, the head honcho of LY, along with various presidents and vice presidents from different industries, all offering their blessings.

Rosemary made her rounds, acknowledging each table, until her gaze landed on one where Grannie Grace's dearest friend, Grandma Stacy, sat. The memory of Grandma Stacy crying her heart out on the floor at Grannie Grace's funeral was still vivid. Now, as Rosemary's lineage was publicly acknowledged,

Grandma Stacy stood, tears of joy brimming in her eyes.

Rosemary had barely approached when she was enveloped in a tight embrace.

"I've lived to see this day for your grandmother," Grandma Stacy said, her voice quivering with emotion.

"Tonight, I'll tell her in my dream about your accomplishments, that your place in the world is recognized, and you're doing wonderfully. She can rest easy now."

"Thank you, Grandma Stacy," Rosemary replied, touched, gently patting her back. "I appreciate all your care over the years, and I'm so glad you could be here today."

Someone passed a tissue to Rosemary—it was Caden, alongside his grandfather, James.

She hadn't expected him to show.

He looked different—handsomer, more commanding, though noticeably leaner, not in an unhealthy way, though.

Rosemary nodded to Caden and Grandpa James in greeting and took the tissue, intending to wipe away Grandma Stacy's tears.

"Thank you," Rosemary said softly. "Grannie Grace was lucky to have a friend like you."