Everyone in the Westwood mansion was lined up neatly in the grand hall, a line that was less about order and more about hierarchy. Grandmother adjusted her glasses and said calmly, "The line begins with me, then Rose, then the rest of you may collect yours."
She turned to Rose with a soft smile. "How much do you think your mother will give us today?"
Before Rose could answer, Diana descended the staircase with the elegance of a queen. Behind her, a servant carried a polished silver tray filled with envelopes weekly allowances, neatly stacked.
"Cecline," Diana said coldly, her eyes narrowing, "go adjust the painting in the west wing. It's crooked."
Cecline grumbled but obeyed, returning moments later.
"Good," Diana said, her tone sharp. "Now stand at the back of the line."
"That isn't fair!" Cecline protested.
"Do as I say, or I'll remove three hundred dollars from your allowance," Diana snapped without hesitation.
Kelvin whispered urgently, "Just go, Cecline, before she makes it worse."
Cecline sulked to the back.
Diana handed an envelope to Grandmother. "Another wad of cash for you to waste at your precious country club."
Grandmother chuckled, unfazed. "Don't worry, Diana. It's not your money I use to enjoy myself."
Rose stepped forward, but instead of accepting her envelope, she looked directly at her mother. "Mother, I need more than this. The children at my NGO are facing eviction. I need funds for a lawsuit."
Diana's lips curved into a cruel smile. "And waste such an amount on your little charity project? No, Rose. I won't."
"That's why you'll never understand doing good for others," Rose said sharply. "It was a mistake asking." She walked out, her envelope untouched.
Diana called after her, voice dripping with disdain. "Good luck finding the money without my help."
Hours later, Rose stood inside a car dealership, determination burning in her eyes. Her red Ferrari gleamed under the lights, but the men across from her smirked.
"You're from a rich family," one said. "You don't know business. We'll give you five hundred dollars."
Rose's eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'm stupid? This car is worth at least seven thousand. I won't take less."
The truth was, the car was worth nearly forty thousand, but Rose needed cash fast. The men exchanged glances and, grinning, signed the deal at seven thousand. Rose accepted the money, her driver glaring silently at the unfair bargain.
Meanwhile, Diana was locked in her own battle. She met Mr. Georgia in his diamond warehouse.
"Name your price," she said, sliding him a check.
"I told you," Mr .Georgia sneered. "I don't do business with women. Women should keep to household chores while men provide. That's the natural order."
Diana's jaw clenched, but Mr.Georgia wasn't finished. "I've got diamonds from every corner of the world some legal, most not. I don't even pay taxes. Customs is full of my men. So don't waste your time."
"Then we do this my way," Diana said coolly.
What Mr.Georgia didn't know was that Diana had a trick up her sleeve.She pulled out her phone and played a recording: his own voice bragging about his smuggling and tax evasion. Mr.Georgia's face drained of color.
"This," Diana said smoothly, "is enough to ruin you. The diamonds, or the authorities you choose."
"You don't fight fair," Georgia muttered bitterly.
"I'm a woman," Diana replied, eyes gleaming. "Fair isn't an option."
Defeated, Georgia handed over the diamond. Diana smirked. "Pleasure doing business."
On the other side of the city, traffic choked the roads. Sam leaned against his car, frustrated.
"There's been a robbery," his driver explained.
Sam glanced at a motorcycle weaving through the lanes. Without hesitation, he called the driver over and pulled a thick stack of bills from his wallet. "Two thousand dollars. The bike is mine."
The man blinked, then eagerly handed it over and Sam even put his shades on him while smiling.
As Sam revved the engine, a light shawl fluttered through the air, landing on his face. He pulled it away, surprised to see Rose standing nearby.
"You again," he said, handing it back. "Your shawl seems to have a mind of its own."
Before she could respond, her phone rang. "Please wait for me," she begged the lawyer on the other end. "I'm on my way." She hung up, flustered.
"You'll never make it through this traffic," Sam said, gesturing to the bike. "Let me take you."Rose hesitated, then nodded and got on the bike.
As the bike sped through the streets, she clutched his waist. "Focus on the road before we end up in the hospital," she scolded.
"How can I focus," Sam teased, "when the most beautiful girl in the world is holding on to me?"
Rose blushed, quickly pulling her hand back. "And stop calling me ma'am."
"Then tell me your name."
She rolled her eyes. "The lawyer's office is just ahead." She hopped off the bike, then turned back. "It's Rose. My name is Rose."
Sam grinned, repeating it under his breath. "Rose."
As she disappeared into the office, he sat on the bike, heart racing,Rose. The name already felt like it belonged to him.
Back at Westwood mansion, Diana sat in her study, the diamond glittering on her desk. She leaned back in her chair and told Kelvin that didn't she say she will get the diamonds, "Mr Georgia thought I'd never win but I always win."