Chapter 23
Thirty minutes later, the Spencer family’s car still hadn’t arrived.
Hayden took out his car key and pressed a button. The vehicle parked along the roadside flashed its lights.
Let’s go. I’ll drive you back
This time, Rosalie didn’t refuse.
She knew Hayden’s time was precious, every minute equated to money, and she’d already wasted thirty of them.
Thank you, Mr. Merritt
The hand on the car door hesitated. Hayden’s eyes narrowed as he turned slightly, asking, “Only one ‘thank you?”
The dejà vu of his words made Rosalie’s brows twitch.
She thought, So the rumors are not all true. Mr. Merritt is simply a rogue.
She pursed her lips, shooting him a complicated look but saying nothing. Her expression clearly telegraphed, “Then what do you want?‘
Well… Hayden drawled. “After all the times I’ve helped you, calling me ‘Mr. Merritt‘ seems a bit formal. Don’t you think so?”
Rosalie paused, then obediently adjusted her tone, “Hayden.”
He lowered his brows to meet her gaze, thin lips curving as he dropped his voice, “Little girl, I’m only five years older than you.”
Rosalie fell silent, widening her beautiful eyes in a wordless “now what” stare.
She looked a little bossy, more lively and agile than the indifferent, aloof demeanor she’d shown at the Spencer’s mansion before. It made her look particularly cute. This was her real self.
Hayden’s eyes narrowed slightly, though the faint smile remained on his face. “You can just call me dear Hay. That’s not too much, is it?”
Rosalie repeated the word blankly, her voice soft and disbelieving. “Hay?”
She thought, ‘Is he letting me call him so intimately? Maybe I’m hallucinating.’
“Good girl. Get in the car, and I’ll take you home.” Hayden pulled open the car door, motioning for her to enter.
Rosalie was speechless.
Forgot it. Since it was his request, and she owed him favors, she stopped struggling and slid into the passenger seat.
Half an hour later, the car stopped before the Spencer’s mansion.
“Get some rest,” Hayden said, watching Rosalie open the door and step out.
Rosalie no longer wanted to say anything more.
Before she closed the car door, Hayden added lightly, “I bought you something useful. I’ll have it delivered to Hodgeson High tomorrow. Keep an eye out for it.”
Rosalie was totally confused.
The car had already started and sped away.
She thought, ‘Forget it, Mr. Merritt’s thoughts are beyond ordinary understanding
After watching Hayden’s car vanish into the night, she turned and walked toward the Spencer’s mansion.
Approaching the front door, a massive wooden panel carved with intricate patterns, she pressed the doorbell.
Soon, a Spencer family servant opened the door.
Instead of stepping aside, the maid eyed Rosalie up and down, her voice dripping with contempt, “Ms. Rosalie Hudson, you’ve finally decided to come back?”
Rosalie stood silently in the night, her face indifferent at the servant’s words. A veil of loneliness seemed to wrap around her figure.
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3:07 PM
Chapter 23
The servant frowned, thinking, ‘Just as expected of a wild child picked up from the countryside. She doesn’t even feel guilty for her mistakes and has no manners at all.’
“Ms. Rosalie Hudson, if you love hanging around so much, why not stay out till dawn?”
“You’ve only been in the Spencer family a few days. Can’t stand being home, can you? Don’t you remember you’re a noble lady now? If word gets out, you’ll disgrace the Spencer family. Have you no shame?
“Mrs. Spencer’s almost worried sick, and here you are, carefree. You’d better learn from Ms. Phoebe Spencer.”
The servant thought her scolding was clear enough, any fool would know to show some humility.
But to her annoyance, Rosalie remained mute, her beautiful face a blank canvas.
“Ms. Rosalie Hudson, if you’re not deaf, stop being willfully obstinate and go apologize to your parents, and to Ms. Phoebe Spencer.”
Just then, Karen’s sharp voice called from inside, “Sally, who’s at the door?”
The servant, Sally, shot Rosalie a look.
“Mrs. Spencer, it’s Ms. Rosalie Hudson returning.”
flurry of footsteps followed, and seconds later, Karen appeared in the doorway, her face livid.
“Where have you been? I told you not to wander off! Are your ears for decoration? Can’t you understand simple orders?”
Rosalie faced Karen’s anger with calm, replying, “I waited over an hour for.” Without another word, she strode past into the house and headed for the stairs.
Karen felt a flicker of guilt. The truth was, she’d forgotten. As always, she’d picked up Phoebe and headed straight home.
It wasn’t until she got inside that she remembered she now had two daughters. One of them had been sent to Lamont Charm School.
The realization had sent her scrambling to dispatch a driver, only to get a call ten minutes ago when the driver told her Rosalie wasn’t there.
A chill had shot through her. If someone beguiled that pretty country girl away and anything happened, the Spencer family would bear the shame.
Now, seeing Rosalie’s indifferent attitude, her faint guilt vanished, replaced by seething anger.
Karen suddenly blocked Rosalie’s path. “You hung out for fun, but now you’re talking back, aren’t you?”
Rosalie’s beautiful eyes cooled inch by inch until they were icy.
Karen, lost in her anger, didn’t notice the change in Rosalie’s expression.
Her voice rose sharper, “Look at you, how long have you been in Webston? Where do you get the nerve to wander alone? Don’t think being a Spencer lets you act recklessly. If you get lost, I’ll send you straight back to the mountains.”
At this moment, another set of footsteps sounded from the entrance.
Phoebe approached in a white nightrobe. The moment she saw Rosalie standing there, her shoulders sagged in visible relief.
“Rosalie, you’re back! We’ve been so worried.” She shuffled toward Karen, slipping an arm through Karen’s and giving it a gentle shake.
“Mom, please don’t be angry. The main thing is that Rosalie is back safely.”
Her soft tone took the edge off Karen’s irritation.
Glancing from expressionless Rosalie to understanding Phoebe, Karen sighed in her heart again, ‘After all, Rosalie isn’t as sensible as the daughter I raised
“If only Rosalie were half as thoughtful as you, I wouldn’t have to fret so much.”
Phoebe smiled sweetly. “Mom, Rosalie is thoughtful. She’s just new to Webston, and we’ve been too busy to show her around. It’s natural she’d want to go out for fun, right?”
Rosalie’s voice cut in abruptly, “Have you been telling people I went out for fun?”
Phoebe blinked, feigning innocence as she shook her head. “Rosalie, I didn’t. Why would you think that?”
Karen’s frown deepened, her anger reigniting.
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Chapter 23
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“Rosalic, how can you talk to your sister like that? Phoebe’s been defending you, and this is how you repay her? Have you no sense of gratitude?”
AD
