Matteo, feeling somewhat discontented with Julian''s attitude toward Roseanne, replied with a hint of petnce, "I understand, Kaleb. I was out of


    line."


    His words only added to the already oppressive and awkward atmosphere.


    Sean, usually the one to lighten the mood, stepped in at this moment to ease the tension.


    "Stop talking. Let''s drink. If you keep chatting, Julian will drink all the alcohol," he said, opening a bottle of beer and handing it to Matteo with a meaningful look.


    Not wanting to make the situation worse, Matteo epted the beer from Sean.


    Roseanne knew that trying to get closer to Julian now would only humiliate herself further. It was better to wait for the atmosphere to lighten up before attempting to rebuild their rtionship.


    She had returned this time due to a project with the Ascend Group, and she was indeed feeling a bit anxious.


    Taking a deep breath, she picked up a bottle of beer that was already open on the table and, in a tone that suggested long-time familiarity, said to Julian, “Alright, even if we can''t be a couple, we''re still friends who''ve known each other since childhood.


    "There''s no need to be so stern. Matteo only brought me here to catch up with old friends. If you have to me someone, me me, not him." Leaning closer to Julian, she added, "I''ll drink this bottle as an apology."


    "Ms. Talley, this way, please." Rosalie arrived at that moment, following the waiter inside.


    A casual nce revealed the scene before her. Roseanne was sitting close to Julian, so close that she could almost fall into his arms.


    Rosalie frowned, puzzled as to why she kept running into Julian wherever she went.


    If she didn''t know that Julian was eagerly waiting for her divorce, she would have suspected that he had deliberately arranged for her to be here.


    Julian, who had just felt Roseanne''s intentional closeness, immediately stood up to create some distance. As he nced up, he met Rosalie''s gaze.


    For some reason, he felt a pang of anxiety as if he was worried that Rosalie might misunderstand. He impulsively brushed away the beer that Roseanne was offering him.


    When he looked back at Rosalie, she was already following the waiter in the opposite direction.


    Julian''s expression froze for a moment. He took a step forward, then remembered Rosalie''s resolute words earlier that night. His raised foot faltered and he retreated, a bitter smile flickering in his mind.


    ''What am I nervous about? Why do I feel so guilty? No need to be worried that Rosalie would misunderstand or be jealous if she saw me close to Roseanne, right? She has clearly said she didn''t want me anymore. Why am I even concerned about this?'' he wondered.


    With a hint of defiance, he sat back down.


    Roseanne had noticed Julian''s sudden change in demeanor and followed his gaze, only to see Rosalie. Her heart sank.


    Recalling how Julian had defended Rosalie earlier and how eager he had been to distance himself from her, the sense of impending danger in her heart grew heavier.


    Her previous suspicions might have been correct. After all these years, with Rosalie, a stunning beauty, by his side, how could Julian not be tempted?


    ''No, I can''t allow it. I can''t let Rosalie take Julian away; she wondered. In that brief moment of panic, Roseanne''s resolve only strengthened.


    No matter what it took, she would make sure Rosalie left Julian. Julian belonged to her and no one else.