Maximus Anderson had been having a hell of a time lately. The Harrison Group’s campaign against the Anderson Group was only escalating.

Somehow, the press had gotten wind of it all. It seemed the Anderson Group’s projects were failing one after another, the capital chain was snapping, and investigators had even sniffed out issues with tax evasion in the corporate ledgers. Maximus had a splitting headache. He was finally seeing the massive gulf between his empire and the Harrison family’s true influence.

His days were a blur of chasing leads and begging for investment, while his nights were spent frantically trying to learn the ropes. He hadn't had a decent night’s sleep in weeks, catching maybe an hour or two of restless dozing before dragging himself back to the grind.

His father, Theodore, had already suffered a flare-up of high blood pressure from the stress. Now, the entire company rested on Maximus’s shoulders. He couldn’t let the Anderson Group burn down on his watch.

Seeing Maximus frantically pulling at his hair in frustration, Delilah Kelly’s temper only grew worse. She had to take it out on Rose.

"Rose Harrison, you absolute bitch!" Delilah stormed into the hospital room, her face twisted with rage.

"Rose, this is all your doing! You must have reported us. Maximus has been running himself ragged day and night—are you satisfied now?" Delilah shrieked like a woman possessed.

"Delilah, I didn't do anything. What are you even talking about? I don't understand," Rose said, staring at her in bewilderment.

"Don't play dumb with me! I’m telling you, even if you tear the Anderson Group to the ground, Maximus will never spare you a second glance." Delilah clicked her heels as she marched closer, her eyes dripping with venom.

"What happened to Maximus? Tell me!" Rose ignored Delilah’s contempt. Hearing the distress in her voice, she couldn't help but feel a spike of genuine, panicked concern.

"Stop the act! It’s all your fault! You must have gone crying to your father, and now Maximus’s company is in ruins. It’s definitely your dirty work!" Delilah looked at Rose’s pale, fragile expression with utter disgust.

"That’s enough, Ms. Kelly," Margaret Hayes, who had just returned from getting water, said coldly. "Get out. This is a hospital. If you want to have a breakdown, go find a cab to the psych ward."

Margaret stood her ground, her gaze icy as she stared down the younger woman.

"You’re the crazy one! Your whole family is insane!" Delilah spat back.

"Listen to me. If you keep up this shouting, I will have you escorted out by the police." Margaret knew she had spoiled her daughter, but she wouldn’t let this girl harass her. She knew Rose was too naive to understand the true ugliness of human nature.

"You! Fine, have it your way." Seeing Margaret’s poised, elegant composure, Delilah knew she couldn't win this battle. She threw out a final, jagged insult before storming out and slamming the door behind her.

Margaret carefully tended to Rose, brushing a stray hair from her daughter’s pale, gaunt face.

"Rose, darling. Women like that are just jealous of your family name and your beauty. You have to become so strong that you crush them beneath your feet; only then will they stop hopping around you like insects."

"I know, Mom. I understand." Rose turned her head away and closed her eyes. She had known for a long time that her mother despised Maximus, but she never dared to speak up, forced to bury her longing in silence.

Her mind drifted back to that gala, remembering that elegant, dashing man who had held his glass and smiled at her with such feigned gentleness. A sharp, stinging pain settled in her chest.

His life must be hell right now. After all, her father was no simple man to cross. "Maximus, are you regretting it now?" Rose whispered in the depths of her heart.

But then, she remembered the reality: Maximus had lured her to the Imperial Plaza Hotel to destroy her. He had personally sent her to prison, an act that had cost her their unborn child. Maximus, the pain you are suffering now is nothing but a few scratches. When you think about my child, who was ripped away before they could even take a breath—does your heart even hurt?

As for Delilah, she was nothing more than a court jester, just as her mother said. Rose needed to be stronger than her to silence her for good.

Rose, you must get better. You must become powerful. Only then can you finally crush her beneath your heels.