Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 63

63 The Announcement

At the gates of Romero Manor, a Rolls–Royce pulled to a smooth stop.

The butler, Nelson Wind, was about to inform everyone that Sterling had returned.

But then he froze–Sterling walked around to the other side of the car and helped a woman out, holding her hand like they were more than just close.

Nelson’s heart sank at the sight.

Thinking of the people waiting inside, his scalp prickled with dread.

“Ready?” Sterling asked Claudia with a smile, his hand still holding hers.

“Of course.” She gave him a playful wink. “Didn’t you say you’d back me up?”

No matter what happened today, she planned to do things her way in this gathering.

Sterling chuckled. He ignored Nelson, who was sweating bullets, and led her straight into the house.

The moment they stepped in, everyone–some sitting, some standing–all turned to stare.

Nearly the entire family gathered, anticipating Sterling’s arrival.

Only his cousin Simon, away on a business trip in Loscoqua, and Henry with his son, still in the hospital after the accident, were missing.

Everyone else was present–including a few unfamiliar young women.

Claudia quickly realized why Sterling had brought her. The event wasn’t just a gathering; it looked more like a matchmaking session.

When they saw Claudia, more than a few faces soured.

At the center of the room sat Donovan. His body was frail with age, but his sharp gaze pierced into Claudia like knives.

He didn’t even bother asking her name and simply ignored her.

“Sterling,” Donovan said coldly, “you arrive late and keep the elders waiting. That’s not how things are done.”

Sterling casually pulled Claudia down beside him on the couch. He toyed with her fingers and raised his brows. “Couldn’t be helped. My girl needed extra time to get ready. Hope everyone

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Such open disregard made the elders bristle, but none dared to voice out.

Donovan finally turned his sharp gaze back to Claudia. His voice was heavy with authority. “This young lady you brought–aren’t you going to introduce her?”

Everyone knew the real purpose of tonight’s gathering. And yet Sterling had the nerve to show up with some random woman. It was his way of slapping them all in the face.

Sterling’s lips curved slightly as his eyes swept across the uneasy faces.

“Claudia Lancaster,” he said. “She’s the future Mrs. Romero.”

Not a date. She is more than just a girlfriend. Future Mrs. Romero.

The words dropped like a hammer. The unfamiliar women in the room stiffened with sour expressions; even Donovan’s face turned dark.

In this family, outsiders used names or titles to tell them apart.

Everyone knew that “Mrs. Romero” referred only to the wife of the family head.

And now this unknown woman, with no background, no history–how could she possibly deserve the title?

But Sterling didn’t care about their anger. He simply started introducing Claudia to his family, one by one.

“This is my grandfather.” He led her right to Donovan.

“Hi, Donovan, pleasure to meet you,” Claudia greeted politely, her voice sweet.

Donovan gave her nothing in return–not a word, not a nod. But Claudia didn’t flinch or lose her smile. She kept her composure and followed Sterling as if nothing had happened.

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