Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne offered a slight smile, "It's fine, no need to tiptoe around it."

Despite her words, the atmosphere still dipped into an awkward silence.

Suddenly, the background noise on Leda's end grew louder, "Anne, gotta go, the family dinner is starting, and my mom's been looking for me everywhere."

"Sure."

After hanging up, Roseanne was about to put her phone down when several messages popped up.

It was Corley Sullivan.

He sent over some international lawsuit documents, a notice of acceptance, and briefly updated her on the current progress. The rest were documents that required her signature. International lawsuits were more complex and time-consuming than domestic ones, so Roseanne was somewhat surprised by the quick progress.

After downloading the files and signing them online, she forwarded them back to Corley.

He acknowledged them immediately, sending back a message with a hint of jest:

"You trust me that much? Not afraid I might sell you out?"

Roseanne replied, "You wouldn't."

Corley felt a warm surge in his heart and couldn't help but smile.

He was evidently pleased by her response and lazily typed back:

"Don't worry, it's just the usual paperwork, nothing beyond the current lawsuit."

Roseanne raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his explanation.

She wasn't naive. She had scrutinized every document before signing. Moreover, if Corley had any ulterior motives, he wouldn't resort to such a roundabout and amateurish tactic. Two seconds later, her phone vibrated again-

Corley: "Happy Christmas Eve. I hope my wish comes true next year."

Roseanne flipped her phone over and placed it face down on the bed. After all, she wasn't Santa Claus; his wishes were none of her business.

"Anne, your dad made some cookies, come and eat-"

Madge's voice echoed from downstairs, prompting Roseanne to quickly respond, "Coming!"

At eight, the holiday's special broadcast began.

Roseanne, enjoying the cookies with her parents on the couch, occasionally savored a cherry her mother fed her-she couldn't be happier!

At midnight, accompanied by the TV host's countdown, fireworks soared into the night sky outside, bursting into a myriad of colors, a dreamlike spectacle.

In the yard, Norris was also setting off firecrackers.

Madge stood by, covering her ears, yet reminding her husband, "Be careful..."

As the firecrackers ignited, crackling sounds filled the air, heralding a smooth and prosperous year ahead.

Roseanne watched her parents in the yard with a smile. Suddenly, she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. An unknown number was calling.

She never answered calls from strangers, but noticing the Lumina City IP address, she decided to pick up. "Merry Christmas."

A familiar, calm, and cultured voice came through, bringing a wider smile to Roseanne's face as she sky,

"Mr. Reynolds, Merry Christmas."

d at the fireworks in the.net

...

Owen Reynolds had inferred from Leda's hints that Roseanne might have returned to her hometown.

After the family dinner, he retreated

to his study to reevaluate some experimental data. However, halfway through, he suddenly stopped, his gaze drifting towards

his phone.

Two seconds later, he reached for it, dialing Roseanne's number for the first time since they had exchanged contacts.

As the dial tone beeped, his

heartbeat slightly quickened untikthe

call connected. Before she coun. Bet

even speak, he found himself saying, "Merry Christmas-"