Reborn Heiress

Chapter 5

Rose's POV

A soft gasp escaped my lips as my eyes met Victor's cold blue eyes. I slowly lowered my gaze to confirm if I wasn't seeing things.

“Miss Rose, why are you running? Is someone chasing you?” His voice made me snap out of my thoughts.

I swallowed the lump formed in my throat before requesting, “Would you please drop me?” After he let go of me, I asked, “Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at the meeting?”

“You forgot your necklace, and I decided to give it back to you since it seems like something precious to you,” he said, trying to sound warm, which he is so bad at. I just wish he could be himself.

I took the necklace from him before throwing it away. This is the necklace James gifted me for my birthday. It doesn't matter to me anymore!

“Thank you for coming,” I said calmly before turning backward to see if James was standing there, but he wasn't.

Thanks to Victor Blackwood, I didn't misuse my second chance. “Is there a way I can thank you?”

“Treat me as a special guest when I attend your birthday,” he muttered, making my eyes widen in amusement. “After your birthday, we will talk about what we discussed earlier,” he added before I could talk.

He did not bother waiting for my response before leaving. I slowly walked behind him, hoping I wouldn't see that monster's face ever again.

I got into my car after watching Victor drive off. I drove off to my apartment with only one thing in mind: to relieve myself of the exhausting day.

***

I woke up quickly and changed into a short gown before I began arranging the living room where I would host my 28th birthday. This time, it wouldn't be a grand party but a simple party.

After I was done arranging and decorating the room to my taste, I began arranging the tables I got yesterday.

Finishing up everything, I retired to my room before taking my bath. After I was done bathing, I changed into a blue-colored flounce gown and a black pair of Lita boots to match. I applied makeup on my face, making sure I looked my best.

I checked my reflection in the mirror. Satisfied with the result, I reached for my phone before texting Victor.

‘Are you still going to attend my birthday?’

I waited for his response for about thirty minutes. I gave up after waiting without a response. He won't attend my birthday party.

“10:00 am?” I gasped softly upon checking the time.

I headed down to the living room to welcome the guests. It was quite stressful to welcome the guests since I had never done it before. It was always my parents, James or Alexis.

After I was done, I began serving out a bottle of wine and two glasses on each table. I did that for all the tables until the last one, which was Alexis's and Jane's spot.

I suddenly became nervous as I served their table. I can't believe both of them had the guts to be here.

“Rose, who is that dude who ruined things for me?”

My eyes blinked slowly at his question. “He is my boyfriend,” I lied. Since Victor won't be here, I can use him to save my face.

“Your boyfriend? Do you think Victor Backwood would stoop so low as to your level? Rose, don't be deceived! You are just a fine flower that everyone could stomp on,” Alexis mocked, making my face go pale.

I held my gown tightly, trying to contain my anger and not cause a scene here.

Just when I turned to leave, the sound of the opened door distracted everyone. I wasn't an exception either.

My jaw fell, and I suddenly began to tremble as my gaze met with Victor's. He looked handsome and different in his perfectly tailored chestnut-colored suit. His perfectly styled hair made him look hot and dashing.

“Rose, I am sorry for coming late.” His words made me compose myself. “Happy birthday, Rose,” he added before walking up to me.

I did not bother saying a word before walking away. I don't want to humiliate myself in front of James and Alexis or get distracted.

My aim for hosting an impel birthday party is to avoid dying. There is a huge possibility that I might today, especially since my father's property would officially be mine today.

“Miss Rose, that man over there wants a drink,” one of the guests said, pointing in the direction where James, Alexis, and Victor were.

“Which of the men?” I asked anxiously.

“The handsome-looking man who came late,” he replied before returning to his spot.

I let out a deep breath before I took a glass and a bottle of wine to him. I poured the drink in for him, praying inwardly that James or Alexis wouldn't question me.

“Mr. Blackwood, Is it true you are dating Miss Rose?”

James' question made the bottle of wine slip out of my hands, causing a loud sound as it landed on the floor, shattering with the drink splashing on Victor.

Before I could speak, he asked calmly, “Rose, are you okay?”

“I am… you?” I asked calmly, trying to clean the stains off his suit.

“No need to do that. I would get a new suit,” he replied coldly, his gaze unsettled. “Should I take you to the hospital?”

His question made James and Alexis exchange glances. With the way Victor was acting, that doesn't need a direct response to confirm that both of them are dating.

“Sweetheart, I am not hurt,” I said sweetly, giving him that puppy expression. Of course, I can't let the opportunity to watch James look like a loser slip off my hands.

I smiled faintly as I watched James stare at me in amusement. I reached for a glass that contained the drink I poured for Alexis. About to gulp it down in my throat to quench my thirst, Victor stopped me before whispering, ‘I saw her pour something into this drink.’