Chapter 129

“Rosalie, what do you think you’re doing!” Phyllis asked cautiously, her words softened by Rosalie’s earlier warning. Phyllis wanted to mention Rosalie’s mother, Bella, but knew better than to provoke the already volatile Rosalie. She was certain that mentioning Bella might result in Rosalie harming her.

Rosalie raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly, “Teaching him how to behave. Didn’t you get it? Need me to demonstrate again?”

Phyllis was left speechless. "Damn it! Bastard!" she thought. The Talley family had certainly raised a handful, she mused.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” Edward interjected, his face stern, fearing Rosalie might strike Riley again.

“Can we all eat in peace now!” Rosalie asked.

Despite their son's humiliation, Edward and the others swallowed their pride.

“Let’s eat. No more trouble,” Edward said, his expression sour.

As he glanced up, he noticed Julian standing in the entrance, watching with interest.

“Julian!” Edward’s face flickered with surprise and regret. Clearly, he didn’t want Julian to witness Rosalie dominating the family. But Julian’s presence suggested he had been there for some time.

At the mention of Julian, Rosalie’s back stiffened momentarily. She quickly composed herself, not even glancing at Julian as she walked to the dining table and sat down alone.

Julian couldn’t help but frown at Rosalie’s deliberate ignoring of him. Her coldness over the past few days spoke volumes.

“Sorry I’m late,” Julian said, walking to the table and looking at the untouched dishes.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, though his casual seating next to Rosalie made it clear he wasn't asking for permission.

Feeling the tall figure beside her, Rosalie’s grip on her fork tightened slightly.

“Of course not,” Edward quickly adjusted his expression and welcomed him warmly. “When I called you this afternoon, you said you were busy; I thought you wouldn’t make it.”

“I finished up and came right over,” Julian replied casually, glancing at Rosalie, who remained focused on her meal, showing no reaction to his arrival.

Meanwhile, Rosalie, though outwardly calm, felt a twinge of suspicion upon hearing Edward’s words. Julian has been invited by Edward? she wondered. He had sounded so supportive on the phone, but now he'd brought the person responsible for his daughter’s unhappy marriage into their home. Rosalie wondered what he was up to.

Rosalie’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t ask.

“Come, let’s eat. The food is getting cold,” Edward said, as if the incident with Riley had never happened.

Riley, having been beaten and now seeing his seat taken by Julian, had no desire to stay. He excused himself and went upstairs. Edward didn't insist, even worrying about possible injuries Riley might have sustained from Rosalie.