The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows novel Chapter 245

Chapter 245 Being Ignored

As noon approached, Ethan’s sleek car glided to a halt outside the Harper estate. Clad in his signature tailored black suit with artfully tousled hair, Ethan cut a striking figure, embodying effortless style with a touch of sophistication.

To everyone’s astonishment, Ethan emerged with an uncharacteristic smile, his usual icy demeanor visibly softened. The tension that typically coiled around his broad shoulders had evaporated.

Rosie’s eyes were glued to Ethan. Months had slipped by since she had last seen him, and now here he was, beaming–surely that smile was meant for her. Her heart fluttered with hope.

“Ethan!” she called out eagerly, maneuvering her wheelchair toward him with unseemly haste.

Brenna set her salad fork down with deliberate calm. She had intended to greet Ethan, but Rosie’s desperate interception made her pause. Watching the scene with detached amusement, she waited for Rosie to be ignored by Ethan.

Ethan, buoyed by the significance of being included in a Harper family gathering, even offered Rosie a rare courtesy. “How’s your recovery coming along?” he asked.

The words were polite, yet his gaze never strayed from Brenna. The warmth in his eyes as he looked at her could have melted glaciers, his expression tender with affection.

Without waiting for a response from Rosie, he strode past her as if she were merely part of the landscaping,

making a beeline for Brenna.

Rosie’s face crumpled. The brutal dismissal cut deeper than any physical pain from her injuries. Even Ethan’s retreating figure seemed to reject her, his entire being focused solely on Brenna.

Hot tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

The Harper siblings exchanged knowing glances. They felt no sympathy for Rosie, and Audrey even believed Rosie had brought the humiliation upon herself.

Ethan greeted the elders with uncharacteristic deference, the normally aloof tycoon exhibiting a surprisingly gentle demeanor.

Neville followed him, handing the gifts Ethan had brought to the staff.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Harper siblings, Ethan finally reached Brenna. From his jacket pocket, he produced a single perfect rose. “For you,” he said softly.

Brenna accepted it, her smile finally reaching her eyes. “Thank you.”

She brought the bloom to her nose, inhaling its fragrance with visible delight.

Determined to salvage her pride, Rosie maneuvered closer. The sight of that rose–a symbol of affection–in Brenna’s hands sent jealousy churning through her veins. She wanted one from Ethan, too.

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Suppressing her envy and frustration, she forced a brittle smile. “I made your favorite soup,” she told Ethan, pretending her heart wasn’t shattering. “You have to try some.

Ethan offered a noncommittal nod, the bare minimum of courtesy required in the presence of the Harper family.

Luther watched the exchange with a growing sense of sympathy toward Rosie. Rosie’s desperate affection was as clear as day. Meanwhile, Brenna, who had just returned to the family, had somehow enchanted everyone around her. The girl possessed an uncanny ability to excel in every social interaction.

Brenna’s social finesse was remarkable for someone so reserved.

But Rosie… She was different. Luther felt for her.

In this household, Luther believed only he truly had Rosie’s best interests at heart.

Still, he was no overbearing patriarch in this family. While he wouldn’t meddle in matters of the heart, witnessing Rosie’s suffering pained him deeply.

An idea took root in his mind–when the moment was right, he would introduce Rosie to suitable young gentlemen from reputable families.

“Every ingredient for today’s meal comes straight from the garden. I picked them myself,” Rosie declared, sliding a porcelain dish toward Ethan. “Organic produce. You should try some.”

Rosie had cleverly positioned herself beside Ethan during the meal.

“This is your favorite dish,” she murmured, invoking childhood memories like a finely honed weapon. “You Cused to love it during summer breaks.”

With practiced finesse, she placed some food onto Ethan’s plate with her own fork, her smile brimming with

hope.

Ethan felt displeased. Without a moment’s hesitation, he moved the food to his discard plate. “There’s no need for you to do this. I am Brenna’s boyfriend, and it would be inappropriate for me to accept such intimate gestures from other women. I’m sorry, Rosie.”

Rosie felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I meant nothing by it!” The protest burst forth from her throat. “You’ve always been like family–like a brother to me. Please don’t misunderstand my gesture.”

Her gaze darted to Brenna. “Surely you can appreciate childhood bonds? You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Brenna just shrugged, her demeanor cold. “I don’t care.”

With that, Brenna put some food onto Ethan’s plate, casually selecting a cucumber salad in front of her.

Ethan’s demeanor brightened as he returned the gesture with some pasta, their silent communication excluding everyone else.