Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 55

Rosemary chuckled and took the gift. "You really are a thoughtful girl."

"Open it, please! I want to see your reaction!" Genevieve nudged her, unable to hide her excitement.

With a resigned smile, Rosemary began unwrapping the present. Nestled inside the box was a polished, pristine ivory figurine of the Virgin Mary, the surface gleaming with a soft luster.

Mrs. Jensen—Ilse Sylvan Howard—immediately chimed in, "Mother, Genevieve knows how much you love religious art and saints, so she spent the whole day picking this out just for you."

Miranda shot Ilse a sharp look. She'd never had much patience for her sister-in-law, whose academic background and prim manners she found insufferably fake. Only someone from the Jensen family could deliver such syrupy flattery with a straight face.

Charlotte stood quietly among them, choosing not to disrupt the moment.

She knew Rosemary had only two sons. The eldest, Jacques Howard, was a diplomat—Elder Howard's favorite, and Evander's biological father. Jensen, the younger son, couldn't quite measure up to his brother. These days, he served as vice chairman at "Cloudcrest MedTech Holdings," the company Rosemary herself had founded. His wife was Ilse, and their only child was Genevieve.

Rosemary closed the box and set it aside. "Well, it's clear you put a lot of thought into it."

Genevieve giggled. "Actually, it was Tricia who helped me pick it out!"

She'd meant to earn Tricia some points with the old lady, but instead, she'd stumbled right onto one of Rosemary's sore spots.

Ilse and Jensen nearly fainted from shock.

Rosemary's face remained unreadable. "Who helped you choose it?"

Genevieve pressed her lips together, then looped her arm through Rosemary's, trying to steer the conversation back in her favor. "Grandma, you really misunderstood Tricia back then. She's nothing like some people, chasing after the family just for money!"

She shot a pointed glance at Charlotte, her chin lifted in smug defiance.

In the next instant, a loud slap echoed through the room.

Genevieve clutched her cheek, staring in disbelief at Linette, who'd delivered the blow.

Linette spoke calmly but firmly. "That was from the lady of the house. The Howard family won't tolerate such petty, disrespectful behavior from any young lady. If you can't act with dignity, don't bother setting foot in this house again."

No one from the Howard family dared challenge her. Linette's words were as good as the matriarch's own. Everyone knew she would never have acted without Rosemary's approval.

Genevieve's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip and turned desperately to Evander. "Cousin!"

She'd assumed Evander would side with her. But he just shot her a cold look. "No matter what, she's still your aunt."