Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Oh, the embarrassment!

Eventually, it was Owen who guided her through the throngs of people, managing to squeeze their way to the outskirts of the crowd. Finally, no more pushing.

Roseanne let out a sigh of relief. However, just as she looked up, she accidentally locked eyes with the man in front of her, who had a gentle smile on his face. "Sorry, Mr. Reynolds... I..."

Owen pointed to her cheek, "You've got some hair stuck there."

"... What?"

Roseanne instinctively reached up, but couldn't find the right spot. Owen helped her by gently brushing it away. Even though he was careful, his fingertips inevitably grazed her smooth, warm skin. "All set," he said, trying to steady himself.

Feeling awkward, Roseanne tucked the stray lock of hair behind her ear, blaming the crowded venue for messing up her hair and causing a few strands to stick to her cheek due to a bit of sweat. How embarrassing.

Recalling the moment she had bumped into him, Roseanne's cheeks flushed, and her breathing quickened slightly. She couldn't stay any longer...

"Mr. Reynolds! Are you thirsty?! I'll run downstairs to grab a couple of bottles of water!"

Without waiting for a response, she hurried to the elevator.

Owen started to say he wasn't thirsty... but if she wanted something to drink, he could get it...

Roseanne took the elevator from the third floor down to the first. Only when she could no longer see him did she breathe a sigh of relief.

But then-

As she turned around, she ran straight into Corley Sullivan. He wasn't alone; two elderly people were with him.

The old man had white hair and a square face, with three deep lines on his forehead, giving off an overly serious and grumpy first impression. The old lady looked slightly softer but seemed somewhat distressed, with a vacant look in her eyes, supporting herself with a cane.

Noticing Roseanne's gaze, the old lady instinctively turned her head, her eyes briefly clouded with confusion before she looked away.

Corley hadn't expected this

coincidence. He had taken the day

off specifically to take his

ve

grandparents out for a stroll. They had returned to the country a week ago, and Corley had the Rodriguez Mansion prepared for them. Unfortunately, his grandmother Geneva had fallen ill due to the change in environment and ended up in the hospital after just one night.

Today, after picking her up from the hospital, they passed through the downtown area when the grandparents suddenly wished to visit a bookstore. And there was Roseanne... Quickly, he connected the dots to Madge's book signing, realizing it was today. That explained Roseanne's presence here.

After exchanging greetings, Corley briefly introduced his grandparents. While he spoke, his grandpa Neely Rodriguez's sharp eyes couldn't help but study the young woman before him.

These days, young women often

pursued a skeletal beauty, thinning themselves to the point of looking sickly, totally lacking in vitality. But this girl was different. Her facial features were soft, with a classic oval face, her skin fair yet not the sickly pale of someone avoiding the sun, but a healthy, rosy glow. Her figure was well-proportioned, her hair tied up in a neat ponytail,

looking fresh and energetic.

Especially those eyes, clear and lively, their pupils like transparent amber, reminding him unconsciously of another pair of eyes... Also curved, smiling, like crescents... Roseanne smiled and greeted the elderly couple. Neely surprisingly returned her smile with a gentle one of his own, "Hello."

Corley, witnessing this, was taken aback. Neely was not known for his warmth, especially towards the younger generation; where had this amiable demeanor come from? According to the household staff, his grandparents used to be very gentle, never prone to anger. But since the disappearance of their second daughter...