Devoted Love:The Billionaire's Precious Wife-Chapter 722 - 723

When the servant called for the doctor, Belinda hurried over, only to find Serena sitting on the armchair in her bedroom, her eyes red and swollen.

Belinda couldn’t help but ask, "Serena, what happened to you, my dear?"

"Grandma." Serena burst into tears as soon as she saw Belinda, her voice quivering with distress.

"Did you fall? How did you get hurt like this?" Belinda gently rolled up Serena’s sleeve, revealing bruises.

The family doctor knew at first glance that these weren’t injuries from a fall, but from a beating. She was shocked; she couldn’t believe that someone dared to hurt Serena to such an extent.

This was too much, and the bruises looked severe. Should she tell Belinda the truth?

"What are you staring at? I’m in so much pain. Please, just help me apply some ointment," Serena wept, trying to control her sobs. "I fell. It was my own clumsiness, Grandma. Don’t worry. It’ll heal in a few days."

Hearing Serena’s words, the doctor didn’t dare to pry further and silently treated Serena’s wounds, thinking it was better not to stir the pot. If Serena didn’t want to talk, it wasn’t her place to force the issue.

"How did you get hurt so badly? Did some of these happen when you were tossing and turning in your sleep last night?" Belinda was deeply concerned when she saw the bruises on Serena’s back.

Serena didn’t dare to confirm or deny, and just tearfully whispered, "It hurts, Grandma."

"Doctor, please be gentle." All Belinda could do was watch anxiously.

Serena, seeing her grandmother’s concern, thought to herself that if her pain could elicit such sympathy, perhaps it could even strengthen their bond.

Meanwhile, Bard came home from work and immediately headed for the study to find Eunice.

"Eunice, I heard there was some friction between you and Serena this morning. Was it because of what happened last night?"

At Bard’s question, Eunice looked up from her laptop, her voice steady. "I have a feeling she’s behind what happened to Rose."

Bard knew Eunice’s intuition was often spot-on, but he had watched Serena grow up and found it hard to suspect her without evidence, even though he found Eunice’s suspicions compelling.

"I know everyone in this family has treated her like a princess and has truly adored her for eighteen years," Eunice said, closing her laptop.

The time and affection everyone had poured into Serena over the years had become deeply ingrained — like a seed rooted firmly in the soil, growing into a towering tree that couldn’t be easily shaken.

Eunice didn’t want to challenge Serena’s place in the family.

"I just feel that the old Serena was innocent and kind, without a hint of guile. She was sweet and sensible. But now, she seems like a different person."

The old Serena wouldn’t use her fragility and tears as weapons; she wouldn’t squander the trust and goodwill she had built up over eighteen years.

But now, she appeared to wield these tools with ease.

"Mom and Dad haven’t suspected her, and I understand. As grandparents, they can’t just suspect their own granddaughter of being malicious without cause. Especially when they’ve watched her grow up, believing they know her character, understanding who she is. So we wouldn’t suddenly doubt her just on someone else’s say-so, let alone cast her out."

Even if a pet cat scratches the owner, she’d think it was an accident. Who would believe that the cat has ill intentions, plotting to harm its owner?

Even if one’s own pet cat scratches its owner repeatedly, to the point of drawing blood, she might just think it’s misbehaving, not knowing any better.

At worst, she might scold it or give it a smack to teach it a lesson, but who would throw it out of the house, abandoning it?

That was the dilemma Eunice was facing.

Serena had been part of the family for far too long. Her identity had been unknown, and the emotions and time invested in her couldn’t be negated by a couple of mistakes.

Eighteen years was a long time. Even if it was a tree planted in the yard, wanting to uproot it all at once would make one feel heart-wrenched and difficult to let go.

Imagine a world where eighteen years of nurturing and affection for a child could be tested by the bitterness of sibling rivalry.

"I’m just worried that Rose might be getting the short end of the stick," Eunice admitted candidly.

The fear was that ever since Rose’s return home six months ago, she had been walking on eggshells for the sake of family harmony, always yielding to her sister Serena. After all, the family already owed her so much.

If Rosemary continued to compromise and step back, wouldn’t that add insult to injury?

"That’s why I want to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. If it turns out Serena is behind the tampering, maybe we can get Louisa to cut the knot and minimize the damage to Rose," Eunice continued.

The longer the issue dragged on, the greater the potential hurt to Rosemary.

The family’s affection for Serena was deep, and the revelation of her true character would only bring them more sorrow.

"It wouldn’t be good for the family either." frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Don’t overthink it. Once the investigation is done, the truth will be clear," Bard comforted her. "I just dread the day we might have to make a choice between Serena and Rose."

One had been cherished like a daughter for eighteen years — raised and protected.

The other, deeply indebted to, had given so much to the family.

Just then, a servant approached with news. "Ma’am, Ms. Rose has arrived."

"I have something to ask her," said Eunice, standing up. "Bard, shall we go downstairs?"

Bard offered his arm, and they descended together.

Darren, his mood buoyant after officially bequeathing everything in the wooden chest to Rosemary, hummed a tune on his way home.

A gentle smile graced Rosemary’s face, her joy seemingly tied to her grandfather’s happiness.

"Rose, you’re back!" Eunice greeted her with warmth as she descended the stairs. "I was wondering what to do with the gifts Romeo brought last night. He went overboard, and I haven’t even unwrapped them yet."

The packaging alone looked expensive.

If not for Serena’s outburst the previous evening, the elders might have already met Romeo and been singing his praises.

Rosemary then remembered Romeo’s instructions about the gifts.

As she distributed them, she said with a soft smile, "It’s just a token of his regard. Please, accept them."

Darren unveiled a set of exquisite chess pieces, hitting right upon his hobby.

Belinda received a painting of inestimable value, her eyes lighting up with admiration and affection.

Bard’s gift was an antique vase worth a fortune.

And for Eunice — a tea set of unparalleled value.

From the top of the stairs, Serena watched the scene unfold, her irritation mounting. She couldn’t believe that Romeo had spent so much just for a first impression.

If he wasn’t serious about Rosemary, he wouldn’t have bothered.

With that thought, Serena’s resentment towards Rosemary deepened — her own misfortunes stark against Rosemary’s happiness.

Suddenly, she realized that Martin hadn’t sought her out all day.

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