Angie said justly, “I just want to scold someone. It’s my right. Life sucks, can’t I even go crazy online?”“Since you can scold others, others can scold you back too. And stop telling me about these things, I’m not interested at all. This thing with Rebecca is troubling me enough, so can you please get your priorities straight? Why are you acting like nothing has happened?”Aurora was beyond frustrated. Angie was still occupied with her stupid novels when something so major had happened. Only fools take those novels that dumb authors write as reality.Angie was a fool indeed, unable to discern what was truly important and distinguish between reality and fiction.Since birds of a feather flock together, those who mixed with Angie and made the same comments as her were all crazy and indecent people!Such people looked at the world through filthy lenses and saw filth in everything. They despised the story they were obsessed with following, and clearly had a problem.Aurora wished A
Time passed quickly and two weeks went by in a flash.Rosalie had been having psychological problems and was cooperating with the doctors in her treatment. She wasn’t on medication. Her first doctor had wanted to prescribe her medicine, but she sought a second opinion with another doctor.Her condition wasn’t so severe as to warrant medication. Medication for psychological issues often had strong side effects. She found doctors whose first resort was to just prescribe medicine without regard for anything else quacks.Thankfully, she found herself another female doctor whom she thought was much better. Instead of prescribing her medicine, the female doctor counseled her and told her that her condition wasn’t so severe that it required medication. She was suffering from mild depression and anxiety which was not that severe.Back at home, Rosalie had Justin’s company, which served as emotional support that made her feel much better.“Rose, I’ve changed the baby’s diaper and fed him
The private investigator explained his plan. After hearing it, a light bulb lit up in Rosalie’s mind.“That’s a novel idea, but I’m just not sure if it’ll work.”“Whether it will or not, we should try it out first. But we must first contact the author and see if she agrees to it.”Rosalie pondered for a moment. “How about this? Text me the name of the novel and I’ll check it out.”During dinner, Rosalie kept hemming and hawing, as if she had something to say to Justin but felt embarrassed about it.Justin could sense something wrong with her and asked, “What’s the matter? Do you have something to tell me?”Rosalie pondered for a moment before saying, “I do have something to tell you, but I’m rather embarrassed to say it.”Justin put his fork down, the look on his face turning solemn. “It’s fine, just speak your mind. If you want me to leave, I’ll go right now…”“I’m not asking you to leave,” Rosalie hurriedly clarified, for fear that he might misunderstand. “I wanted to ask if
The novel was too long and Rosalie was unable to finish reading everything that night. She only managed to zoom past a few hundreds of thousands of words.She was reading pretty quickly. The author’s writing was simple and easy to read, without much complexity in the prose. Despite that, she only managed to read slightly less than half of the total word count.She inserted a bookmark and flipped to the final page.She realized that Angie left a comment on the final chapter too, in which she gave the author a thorough scolding.A normal reader would post comments targeting the plot, but Angie kept targeting the author and even banded together with a few other readers to insult the author.After reading through Angie’s comments, Rosalie had a rough idea of the kind of person Angie was. Rosalie yawned, exhausted beyond belief. She could hardly keep her eyes open. She was about to put her phone down when she heard her baby’s cries from next door.Rosalie immediately got out of bed
“Thank you,” Rosalie said as she received the bottle of tea. She in turn handed the author a little gift box. “This is a small token for you. Please accept it.”“A small gift for me?” the author said happily as she received the gift. “Thank you, you’re so nice. Let me treat you to lunch.”She was very glad to meet a fan here.“Let me treat you instead,” Rosalie offered.“How could I let you do that?” the author said. “Let me give you a treat. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. I’m very thankful for your support for my novel.”“You write very well and I couldn’t stop reading the novel.”“I want to hear your assessment of it,” the author said. “What do you think of it? Give me your honest opinion.”As long as it wasn’t a malicious insult that wasn’t constructive, she could accept any objective comment that came her way.Rosalie thought about it for a while before saying, “Very dramatized and frustrating, but the story is written very immersively and I got so worked up so many time
“Just look at them. They only have those few things to say, such as me having a mental problem, being indecent, promiscuous, and fooling around with men like the female lead. They insist that the characters in the novel are a reflection of the author. What a joke.”The author chuckled as she went on, “I’m single and I don’t care about men at all. I’ve been traveling around the world. How would I have time to fool around with men? Based on their logic, authors who write ghost stories are ghosts themselves, and those who write murder mysteries and criminals too? How stupid of them.”“Yeah,” Rosalie said. “Novels are all fictional and made-up. Authors write stories based on what they see and hear with a dash of imagination, which may not necessarily represent the authors themselves. These comments, on the other hand, are a true reflection of their character.”“Well said,” the author said, pulling out her phone to make a note of Rosalie’s words. “I want to include your words in my novel
Rosalie treated the author to lunch.The author had wanted to treat Rosalie to a meal, but Rosalie insisted on expressing her gratitude and the author didn’t reject her. Justin and Steve joined them for lunch, too.Justin was tall and handsome, and the author’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “My my! You look just like the male lead of my story.”Justin smiled awkwardly. “You’re too kind.”“Oh, come on! You’ll be the inspiration for my next male lead. He’ll have the same family name, the female lead will take Rosalie’s family name and the both of them will have a cute baby together.”It was now Rosalie’s turn to feel awkward. She and Justin exchanged glances.Steve suddenly laughed in Justin’s arms and cooed, “Dada, Mama.”It now became impossible for Justin and Rosalie to clarify the true status of their relationship.-Justin drove Rosalie back home. Steve sat in the car seat at the back while Rosalie sat in the front passenger seat.Awkwardness filled the air between Justin
Half an hour later, after all the dishes were served, Laila wolfed all the food down, looking as though she had been starved for a long time.Rosalie and Justin sat opposite her, with Steve in Justin’s arms.Rosalie stared coldly at Laila until she finished all the food and burped loudly.“Now that you’re done, tell me about my biological parents.”“At least give me some living allowance.”Laila didn’t have a single cent on her and she had to worry about her next meal after this. It would be foolish of her to miss this chance to fleece some money from Rosalie.“Take your phone out. I’ll transfer you some money,” Rosalie said.“I don’t have a phone. I sold my phone away. I need cash.”All her cards were frozen and she couldn’t receive online payments, only cash.“I don’t have cash with me.”“I don’t care. Give me cash or I’ll keep silent.”Laila was at the end of her tether. She couldn’t be bothered with anything else except for getting her hands on some money right now.Ros
Dinner was pleasant and harmonious.After the meal, the three of them sat in the living room and chatted. The atmosphere was especially warm and relaxed.Most of the conversation between Rosalie and Theodore revolved around the book she was about to write.Rosalie asked Theodore many questions, and he answered each one carefully, offering his advice. In this field, he was indeed more knowledgeable than Rosalie as he had years of experience. His insights were sharp, whether viewed from a macro or micro perspective.As their discussion grew more complex, it reached a level where others could no longer understand.Justin sat silently on the couch, watching them. Even though he didn't understand their conversation, he wasn't annoyed. His gaze remained fixed on Rosalie.It was as if he couldn't find a place in their discussion, nor did he want to interrupt. So, he simply watched them quietly.Unknowingly, time slipped away, and it was already 9.30 PM. Justin glanced at the clock.His gaze l
"It's great to hear you say that! Once I've got a draft, you'll be the first to read it. If there are any mistakes or areas that need improvement, you have to point them out," Rosalie said.Theodore nodded and replied gently, "I can't wait to read it."Sitting quietly to the side, Justin watched their interaction. For a moment, he felt that the two of them were truly a perfect match. After everything they had been through, they could still share a meal and discuss these matters. They shared the same interests and values.And what about himself? Did he and Rosalie have anything in common? He knew nothing about finance. He was just a cold-blooded assassin. Only when he was with Rosalie did he feel like an ordinary person, but in reality, his true identity was one he could never reveal to anyone.Theodore was different. He was born into a prestigious family, had a high status in society, and had remarkable knowledge.Rosalie should be with Theodore. Only he could give her the life she de
Theodore asked, "Then how do we know whether this so-called financial critic is telling the truth or not? After all, not everything is just a rumor.""Exactly! That's a great question," Rosalie replied with a smile. "This brings us to credibility and information verification. I want to clearly address this in my book and discuss how to determine the credibility of financial information, much like verifying sources on the internet. I can share methods for cross-checking company reports, financial data, and news sources."If a company is indeed facing an issue, we need to analyze the specifics—what kind of issue it is, whether it can be resolved, or if it is just a normal part of a business cycle. Sometimes, we can't just focus on a single point; we have to take a macro perspective. "It's like a person with a mole on their face—if someone isolates that mole and uses it to argue that the person is not human, that wouldn't make sense. The mole is merely a part of the person, but it doesn
Rosalie eventually agreed to Theodore's suggestion to fetch her home on a helicopter.Instead of going to the car park to get her car, Rosalie went to the top floor and waited there. Very soon, a helicopter arrived and she hopped on. She managed to reach home in less than forty minutes.Rosalie remarked to herself that it was indeed good to be rich.When she walked into the living room, she saw Justin and Theodore playing with Steve.They blindfolded Steve and randomly exchanged positions, and made him guess where his father was. Steve sometimes burrowed in Theodore's embrace, and then in Justin's arms at other times. He was completely fooled by them.The two men were playing like children and having a blast.Warmth spread across Rosalie's heart at the scene before her.When they realized that Rosalie was back, Justin exclaimed, "Rose, you're back!"The two men looked at her and immediately tugged the blindfold off Steve's face for fear that she might scold them.Rosalie ignor
"You're praising me?" Theodore exclaimed, as if he heard something unbelievable. "It's completely reasonable for you to punch me."Justin patted Theodore's shoulder. "I'm standing right here, alive and well and able to see Rose, precisely because you defeated the evil within you. The one standing before me is the good Theodore. If I were to punch you, who'd be willing to save another?""If I were you, I'd punch me," Theodore said.Justin shook his head. "Not so. You might think this way because you haven't actually experienced it for yourself. Once you do, you'll realize that many things aren't what you thought they were, and that would change the decisions you make."Theodore had a newfound respect for Justin. If the world had more people like him in it, it would probably be a more beautiful place, without conflicts and struggles and endless criticisms and personal attacks.Theodore was starting to understand why Rosalie liked Justin. He was a man worthy of her fancy.Their rela
Justin reached Theodore and Rosalie's place at around 5.20 pm.He didn't come early, because Rosalie told him that she could only reach home at 5.30 pm earliest. He wouldn't be able to see her by coming early, anyway.Theodore was at home and came out to welcome him."You're here."Both men weren't antagonistic against each other, but there was a tinge of awkwardness in the air."You've recovered well," Theodore said politely, but it was what he genuinely thought.Justin was previously shot in the head and had half his head shaved. Some hair had grown out since then."I have recovered pretty well. Oh yes, I haven't thanked you for what happened previously," Justin said. "What for?" Theodore asked."After I got shot, everyone thought I was dead, but you noticed my finger moving. Had you not said anything, I might really have died."Theodore didn't immediately accept Justin's expression of gratitude. In fact, he felt rather guilty. His first reaction at that time was not to
Rosalie returned to her room and pondered hard before finally calling Justin back.He answered the call quickly and his voice came through the phone. "Hey, Rose. What's up?""Justin, come to my place tomorrow. You, me, and Theo, we'll have dinner together.""Tomorrow?""Yes, are you free?"Justin pondered for a moment before saying, "I am, but does Theo know about this?""He does. He agreed to it.""Alright, then. I'll head over tomorrow.""Where will you be tomorrow? I'll go pick you up after work.""It's fine, I can head over myself. Just give me your address.""I'll do that. You must come.""I will. I always do whatever I promise you.""Okay, I'll take you at your word. I'll text you my address. I knock off at five in the evening and take around half an hour to drive home. You can arrive here earlier than that."The two of them hung up soon after.Rosalie immediately drafted a text to Justin to inform him of her address. She was so worried she might get it wrong that s
Theodore fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "I know. I know deep in my heart that's what you feel."Rosalie suddenly felt cold, not because of the wind but because her heart had turned cold. "Theo, let's go home. I miss Stevie."Theodore nodded. "Alright, let's head home."These were stolen moments, and the time they shared right now was due to end.Rosalie turned around and suddenly stepped on something which caused her to lose her balance and almost fall.Theodore wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. "Be careful."Rosalie was still recovering from the slight shock when she turned her head and realized how close they were to each other.Suddenly, Theodore cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her lips.Rosalie was stunned as memories flooded her mind. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and in that moment, she forgot about pushing him away. It was only when a thought suddenly came to mind that she shoved him away.In the past, she might
Rosalie recalled the rose Theodore gave her this afternoon, which he claimed he bought from the streets.A cold wind blew past, and she shivered slightly—it felt chilly. Theodore very chivalrously removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders."Theo, I'm fine. I'm not cold. You wear it." She was worried he might catch a cold instead."I'm fine." When Theodore draped the jacket back on her shoulders, he put his arm around her shoulders and left it there. The two of them looked very intimate.Just then, Rosalie's phone rang. It broke the awkward moment that was brewing.Rosalie gently nudged Theodore's arm away and picked up her phone. "Hello."It was Justin calling. "Rose, it's me.""Hey, Justin. What's up?""Nothing, I just wanted to call to ask if you're asleep.""Not yet, I'm still out.""Oh? Are you out alone?""No, I'm with Theo," Rosalie said frankly."Right," Justin said, not pursuing the matter. "I won't bother you two, then. I just wanted to check in on you, n