?Chapter 365:


    If Rosanna could get him through those doors, he would agree to ten conditions, no questions asked.


    Lowering her voice to a whisper, Rosanna exined, “Mariana values her privacy. She doesn’t like people talking about her connections behind her back. If word gets out that I’m close to her, people might start gossiping, using me of trying to gain favor with the Cooper family. If Mariana hears that, it could ruin everything.” She gave Jarrod a soft, almost pitiful smile. “So please, promise me you won’t breathe a word about my rtionship with her. Keep it between us, and I’ll take you with me.”


    Jarrod didn’t hesitate. Raising five fingers like he was swearing an oath, he promised, “Don’t worry! My lips are sealed!”


    Late at night inside the Starlight Bar, the dim lighting of a secluded booth cast dancing shadows over Rnd, who leaned forward, resting his forehead against his hand as he repeatedly emptied his ss. His suit jacket was carelessly draped over the back of the couch, his cor undone, presenting a stark contrast to his usually impable appearance.


    Pattie was sprawledzily beside him, idly swirling her ss filled with light whiskey. She watched as Rnd continued to drown his sorrows, her expression a mix of amusement and concern.


    She grabbed the ss from Rnd’s grip, chiding him, “Hey, Rnd boy! If you can’t handle your drinks, why push yourself? You’re awful at this drinking game. Don’t think I’m dragging you home if you pass out again!”


    Tonight, Rnd was noticeably out of sorts. He had unexpectedly invited Pattie for drinks, an invitation she feltpelled to ept. But thest time they went out, Pattie had ended up carrying him home, and she was determined not to let that happen again.


    Rnd, cheeks flushed and voice raspy, struggled with his words. “Tell me… How did Maia end up like this?”


    “Maia? What did she go through?” Pattie’s brow furrowed in confusion. A mix of anger and hurt shed in Rnd’s bloodshot eyes as he clenched his jaw. “She got married out of the blue… and now she’s parading around with some pretty boy… Is she still the Maia I once knew?”


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    In Rnd’s eyes, Maia had always been a figure of cold, aloof distinction. Other than her close rtionship with his sister Elvira, Maia maintained a polite yet distant demeanor that kept others at bay. To him, she seemed elevated above the trivialities of daily life, her eyes harboring a deep-seated mncholy. She appeared as a treasure he could only admire from a distance, but never possess. She had never shown interest in any man, not even Rnd.


    Rnd had always believed that a woman like Maia would not easily marry, let alone keep a man by her side. She was meant to be like a rare, untouched flower.


    Yet, the current reality of Maia shattered all his previous beliefs.


    Pattie almost spit out her drink upon hearing hisment.


    It was clear to her that Rnd was oblivious to the fact that the so-called man Maia kept was actually her husband.


    Pattie figured that Maia had her reasons for keeping certain truths hidden from everyone. Thus, Pattie found herselfpelled to assist Maia in safeguarding these secrets.


    Pattie managed a casual smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, don’t overthink it. Maybe Maia has her reasons.”


    “Reasons?” Rnd scoffed, his voiceden with emotion. “Even if she had reasons, it’s not like her to do this. I just can’t ept it!”


    Pattie was growing frustrated. Rnd was clearly intoxicated, his words slurring slightly.


    “Alright, alright,” she said, patting him on the shoulder reassuringly. “You can’t ept it, that’s fine. But it’s her life, her choices. Even if we don’t understand, as her friends, we ought to respect them, right? Let’s not dwell on it. We’re here to have a good time.”


    “Her choice?” Rnd snapped bitterly. “That handsome guy?” He threw his head back and downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp.


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