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    Her protective instincts red. “Rosie had nothing but good intentions,” she said to Shepard and Giselle. “We’ve always thrown lively bashes for the girls’ birthdays. Don’t say no now and then secretly arrange er.”


    Giselle’s brow furrowed, and she felt stung by the usation. She hadn’t noticed Tessa’s favoritism toward Rosie before, but since Rosie’s return, it was ringly obvious. She wondered what Rosie had been saying to Tessa behind their backs.


    “Tessa, Audrey never had a birthday party,” Giselle countered sharply. “It’s only Rosie who has had a grand affair every year.”


    Tessa froze, the truth hitting hard. Audrey’s birthdays had always been simple family dinners, while Rosie’s had been marked with fanfare.


    Stung by the challenge, she retorted, “Our family is one of the city’s most prominent families. What is wrong with a proper celebration? Why are you saying this? It seems you dislike Rosie.”


    Giselle’s lips curled into a wry smile. “Dislike her? I wouldn’t dare. It seems Rosie’s word isw in this house now. She is the one calling the shots.”


    Rosie’s eyes welled up, tears cascading down her cheeks in a theatrical disy. “Are you still angry with me? I know I messed up. Please forgive me. I don’t care about my shares anymore. I’ll hand them all to Brenna.”


    Tessa’s anger surged, her hand mming the table. “Absolutely not! Those shares are yours, Rosie, and no one will strip them from you.”


    Brenna caught a fleeting gleam of cunning satisfaction in Rosie’s tearful eyes.


    “Grandma,” Brenna said calmly. “I’ve never asked for her shares. I’m being unfairly painted as the viin here.”


    Ernst opened his mouth to speak, but a subtle nce from Shepard silenced him.


    Shepard’s tone was measured yet firm. “Mom, no one is after Rosie’s shares. Besides, those shares were purchased from other Harper family members. She earned them rightfully. Why would we take them away from her?”


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    Tessa fixed Rosie with a discerning look, her eyes narrowing slightly. Rosie had conveniently omitted the fact that she had purchased the shares in Harper Group.


    If that were true, Rosie’s ambition was far from modest.


    “Rosie, is this true?” Tessa inquired, her tone measured yet probing.


    Rosie hesitated, her voice tinged with caution. “Grandma, I… I acquired shares in the Harper Group only to support Maxley’s campaign,” she exined, wary of Tessa misinterpreting her intentions.


    Tessa nodded subtly, her expression contemtive. “Your grandfather always maintained that shares shouldn’t pass to married daughters. I don’t know what to say about this now.”


    Shepard let out a soft chuckle, brushing off the outdated notion. “My dad’s views were far too rigid. We should not be bound by his rules. Rosie bought those shares fair and square. They’re hers to keep. And when Audrey and Brenna wed, I won’t be wing back their shares, either.”


    Rosie, sensing an opportunity, pressed her case with a hint of indignation. “Dad, doesn’t that mean my earlier shares should be returned to me?”


    Tessa’s sharp gaze shifted to Shepard. “Indeed, by your logic, Rosie should get those shares back. Just because Rosie’s parents are no longer with us doesn’t mean you should shortchange her.”


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