The Red Rose of Manhattan Chapter 6

"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"

Marcus and Linda, recovered from her shock, immediately put on warm, welcoming faces, fussing over Serena and fawning over Ethan, their attitude obsequious.

Only Ethan—his gaze landed on Lily, and he frowned slightly, as if only now realizing that Lily was actually Serena's sister.

During dinner, around the long table, Serena and Ethan naturally sat together on one side, while Lily sat alone across from them.

Throughout the entire meal, Lily watched Ethan carefully serve Serena, peel shrimp for her, and naturally use his napkin to wipe sauce from the corner of her mouth.

Linda beamed at the sight: "Serena, honey, how did you and Mr. Frost meet? Tell Mom!"

Serena blushed shyly: "It was at a charity gala. I saw a stray cat stuck in a tree and tried to help it. I almost fell, and Ethan caught me... Then he asked for my number."

She glanced lovingly at Ethan.

Lily couldn't help but laugh sarcastically.

Serena had hated small animals since childhood—she'd even tortured Lily's cat to death when they were kids. There was no way she'd try to save a cat.

Either it was a staged act, or she planned to abuse it later.

Her mocking laughter stood out in the quiet dining room, drawing everyone's attention.

Serena's expression flickered before she smiled: "Lily, what about you? Have you been dating anyone? When will you bring someone home for us to meet?"

Lily's red lips curved into a bright, unrestrained smile: "Bring someone home? That won't work."

Serena looked confused: "Why not?"

Lily's smile grew more wild and bold, her gaze pointedly sweeping over Ethan before returning to Serena, her tone provocative:

"Because there are too many."

"I'm not like you—so lacking in... appeal that it takes three years to bring one guy home."

"Me?" She drew out the word like a seductress. "The line of men chasing after me stretches from this Sterling mansion all the way to Paris. I literally can't bring them all."

"Lily!" Marcus slammed the table, his face purple with rage.

Linda's chest heaved with anger.

Serena looked hurt, her eyes reddening as she turned helplessly to Ethan.

Ethan put down his utensils, wiped his hands with his napkin, then under everyone's gaze, took Serena's hand on the table.

"Serena doesn't need to compare herself to anyone."

"In my heart, no one comes close to her. She's the best, incomparable."

Those words were like a final judgment, casting Lily into an endless abyss.

Serena smiled through her tears, squeezing his hand back, her face radiating happiness and triumph.

Lily stared at their clasped hands, her heart crushed in an instant, the pain almost destroying her carefully maintained mask of indifference.