Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 55

apter 55 Forgotten on Her Own Birthday Party

Over the last few days, Quade couldn’t lift his head around his cousins. Their mocking laughter still rang in his ears.

Claudia. That family outcast. How dare she do this to me?

Walter told him that he had offended someone powerful, but he didn’t believe it. He was sure Claudia had used her pretty face to get someone important to back her

1. up.

He couldn’t touch the people behind her, but he could still make her life miserable.

When she becomes the slut that everyone hates, let’s see who will stand up for her then.

Sometimes, men could be more vicious than women.

When he saw the Lancasters‘ fancy birthday invitations, he smirked. He was leaving the country soon anyway–papers were ready. Even if something went wrong, he could run overseas and hide. And what if trouble fell on his family? Well, Mandy loved managing things. Let her deal with the fallout.

As long as Claudia ended up worse than him, he’d be happy.

Claudia herself had no idea so many people were plotting to ruin her birthday.

In fact, she didn’t even know there was a birthday party.

The Lancasters had been running around with preparations. Then Jasper suddenly claimed he wanted to announce an engagement. That meant they had to coordinate everything with the Fentons. After all the scrambling, Sylvia finally asked if Claudia had been told about how she’d be presented at the party. That’s when they realized–no one had actually informed Claudia.

The couple and their sons just stared at each other.

Each of them had assumed someone else had already done it.

In truth, all of them had been blocked from Claudia’s phone.

Sylvia sighed. “You planned to throw a birthday party and never told the birthday girl? What about her dress and her stylist? How did you arrange those?”

Lottie looked embarrassed. “Lydia and I already picked everything for her.”

Sylvia glanced at Lydia, who sat quietly with perfect posture. Around her neck hung the newest

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Chanel necklace. It was obvious Lottie had chosen jewelry for Lydia while supposedly shopping for Claudia.

But this “side gift” for Lydia wasn’t any cheaper or less glamorous than what Claudia

Anyone who didn’t know better would think it was Lydia’s big night.

got.

Sylvia let out a small laugh. “Lottie, how can you be sure things fit if she never tried them? And birthdays need priorities. Claudia is your daughter–you can’t treat her like she’s less than Lydia.”

She still favored Lydia as a daughter–in–law. But her son was obsessed with Claudia.

Because of this rushed engagement party, Sylvia had fought bitterly with her husband. This time, Jasper refused to give in. In the end, they had no choice but to accept.

Now that the engagement was set, Sylvia’s position shifted. She had to defend the right of her daughter–in–law.

Everything owned by the Lancasters should go to a Lancasters. Why should all the good things go to an outsider?

She thought Lottie was being foolish.

Lottie flushed with shame but also irritation. Sylvia didn’t know the whole story yet acted like she had the right to judge.

But since the families were close and soon to be in–laws, Lottie couldn’t argue. She forced a smile. “Don’t worry. I only guessed at what Claudia might like. She’ll decide in the end. And as for favoritism, both girls are my daughters. I treat them the same.”

Sylvia curled her lip but said nothing.

She shot a disapproving glance at her son. “You and Claudia are engaged. You’ll be on stage together. Even if others don’t care, you should. Why aren’t you more invested?”

Jasper sat by the window, his face dark. He didn’t respond right away, then muttered, “Keep it simple. If there’s a problem, Wilson and Dad can make the announcement at the party.”

“What did you just say?” Sylvia snapped.

Marriage wasn’t just about the couple. It was about both families. How could he treat it so carelessly?

But Jasper didn’t want to argue. He stood up, striding toward the door.

“I’m going out for some air.”