Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 558: I would start being very careful about the enemies I make.

Chapter 558: I would start being very careful about the enemies I make.

[Present]

An awkward silence settled over the table when Roseline refused to speak. The tension lingered in the air until Mirth finally turned toward them with curiosity.

"Did you both know each other?" she asked, not referring to anything related to business, but something that might have existed long before.

Roseline quickly snapped her gaze toward Mirth and then back at Norma, only to find the woman watching her with a faint, knowing smirk.

"Yes," Norma answered calmly. "You know... from long ago. But perhaps Mrs. Bennett doesn’t recall it. Or maybe... she simply doesn’t want to."

Roseline’s heart pounded violently in her chest. The longer she looked at Norma, the more she realized what a grave mistake she had made by coming here today.

Who would have thought that the young woman she had once threatened to drive out of the country would grow into the very person who would one day stand behind her husband’s downfall?

"I—I remember," Roseline said quietly, forcing a stiff smile.

Her unusually meek tone made the women seated around the table exchange curious glances with one another.

"Well then, there’s nothing to worry about," Mirth said lightly. "Since Mrs. Clafford has joined us, I was wondering if it would be awkward for you both to share the same space."

Her laugh was casual, but Roseline shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Of course not," Norma replied smoothly. "I hope Mrs. Bennett agrees as well. It’s not like we should blame anyone for their husband’s downfall."

Her words sounded polite on the surface, but they struck Roseline like sharp thorns piercing straight into her heart.

Once again, silence fell across the table. The other women could clearly sense the tension quietly growing between the two.

"Let’s not dwell on this now," Cynthia finally said, breaking the uncomfortable moment. "We’re here to enjoy ourselves. Let’s continue with the party."

The conversation slowly shifted back to lighter topics, and the ladies resumed socializing.

Roseline, however, remained quiet.

Throughout the discussions, she could constantly feel Norma’s eyes on her.

Earlier, when Roseline had learned Daniel’s identity, she believed she would have no problem facing Norma after all these years. But now that the woman was sitting right across from her—occasionally meeting her gaze and smirking knowingly—an uneasy feeling crept into her chest.

Something inside her warned her not to remain there for too long.

Back then, when Roseline had trapped George, she had only seen his wife and Norma visiting him. The boy had never appeared before her, nor had she expected to see him. She had no idea what he looked like or even what his name was.

But Norma... Norma was different.

She remembered her clearly.

The young woman who had boldly argued with the police when they detained her brother.

Hugo had hardly paid attention to the matter at that time. His entire focus had been on his daughter, who had fallen into shock after the kidnapping incident.

And Roseline had taken full advantage of that moment.

Quietly.

Carefully.

She had made sure to erase every person who could ever become a problem for her.

But now, Roseline feared that the problem had never truly disappeared. It had simply returned—stronger than it had ever been before.

Time passed, and eventually the tea party came to an end. The women slowly left the pavilion in small groups, chatting and laughing as they made their way toward their cars.

Roseline stepped out onto the stone pathway, eager to leave as quickly as possible. The polite smile she had maintained throughout the gathering was beginning to strain her face.

All she wanted now was distance.

However, just as she reached the steps leading to the parking area, a familiar voice stopped her.

"You seemed quite anxious the whole time, Roseline."

Roseline paused.

For a brief moment, her shoulders stiffened before she slowly turned around. Norma stood a few steps away, her posture relaxed, her expression calm—almost amused.

If she wanted to, Roseline could have denied it immediately. But doing so would only give Norma the satisfaction of thinking she had struck a nerve. So instead, she masked her unease and forced a confident smile.

"Anxious?" Roseline repeated lightly. "That would be an understatement. But surprised? Yes, I was certainly surprised to see you, Norma."

Her eyes swept over Norma deliberately.

"After all, who would have thought someone like you would manage to climb into a social circle like this?"

Her words were sharp, deliberately provoking.

But instead of reacting with anger, Norma laughed softly.

"You are very funny, Roseline."

The smile on Roseline’s face froze.

Before she could respond, Norma took a slow step closer.

"You’re still living under the illusion that you belong to the same social circle as before," Norma continued, her tone calm but cutting. "Honestly, it makes me laugh."

Roseline’s lips twitched, irritation flashing across her face. Her fists clenched slightly at her sides.

"You can keep telling yourself that," Norma went on. "But tell me something... what do you think will happen when everyone eventually learns the truth?"

Roseline frowned. "What truth?"

Norma’s laughter stopped abruptly.

The amusement drained from her face, replaced by something far colder.

Her eyes darkened as she looked directly at Roseline.

"The truth about what you did to enter that circle in the first place," she said quietly.

Roseline’s face paled almost instantly.

Norma leaned in slightly, her voice lowering just enough to ensure only Roseline could hear her.

"Do you really think they would welcome you the same way if they knew how you manipulated the situation? If they knew how you destroyed innocent lives just to secure your place beside Hugo Bennett?"

Roseline’s throat tightened.

Norma straightened, studying her reaction with clear satisfaction.

"You see," she continued calmly, "people like Cynthia and Mirth value reputation more than anything. Their world runs on influence and trust."

Her lips curved faintly.

"And I wonder... how long would that trust last if they discovered that the elegant Mrs. Bennett built her life on lies, deceit, and someone else’s ruin?"

Roseline’s breathing grew uneven, but she forced herself not to look away.

Norma took one final step closer, her presence suddenly intimidating.

"You threatened me once," she reminded her quietly. "You told me to leave the country or you would make my life miserable."

A slow smile appeared on her face.

"Well... look how things turned out."

Roseline remained frozen as Norma turned away.

Before walking off, Norma glanced back at her one last time.

"If I were you," she said smoothly, "I would start being very careful about the enemies I make."

With that, she walked toward her car, leaving Roseline standing alone—pale, shaken, and suddenly aware that the power she once held might no longer be hers.