?


    Roseanne, out of politeness, reciprocated the handshake but quickly withdrew her hand.


    Kenney thought for a moment, then gestured towards Mamie.


    Having just taken a bite of her apple pie, Mamie, with crumbs still on her fingers, felt a bit embarrassed and apologized, "...I better not shake hands, sorry about that."


    "No worries at all," Kenney waved it off, showing understanding.


    It was then that the man sitting next to Kenney, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up.


    "Miss Cole over here... seems familiar, doesn''t she?"


    Roseanne looked up.


    She had recognized him the moment Scales introduced everyone. Sometimes having a good memory is more of a curse than a blessing.


    The man, unlike Scales and Kenney, was evidently not of the same generation. He had a mature look, his gaze piercing with depth.


    Yet, he found himself seated at their table...


    Presumably, he didn''t qualify for the main table yet desperately wanted to attend the family dinner, ending up awkwardly at their table. Scales hadn''t mentioned him when introducing his childhood friends.


    Sure enough-


    Kenney turned his head, "Bro, you know Miss Cole?"


    Baily smirked, "The more I look, the more familiar she seems. If I''m not mistaken, she should be from Murray''s..."


    "Baily," Scales suddenly cut in, his tone unintentionally stern, "today is my birthday, and my ssmates are my guests."


    The implication was clear: Are you sure you want to be rude to a distinguished guest of the host at such an asion?


    Baily''s expression shifted but he quickly regained hisposure, smiling again, "On a closer look, there is a difference. My apologies, Miss Cole, for speaking out of turn."


    Scales'' expression softened.


    Mamie gave him a discreet thumbs-up.


    Scales'' lips curved into a smile.


    Throughout, Roseanne remained the mostposed.


    Baily and Murray were acquainted, and she had seen him a few times at business cocktail parties, where his gaze lingered on her ufortably.


    Afterward, she told Murray about it.


    Murray thought she was overreacting and still took her to events where Baily was present.


    After several instances, Roseanne decided not to attend anymore.


    Any simr social gathering was off her list.


    Murray was furious, but this time, Roseanne stood her ground.


    If her boyfriend wouldn''t protect her, she had to protect herself.


    Unexpectedly, she encountered him again today at the Dixon family dinner.


    Still, that ufortable gaze lingered...


    Fortunately, after Scales'' warning, Baily seemed to back off.


    Soon, the guests at the main table were all present, and Laird invited everyone to start the meal.


    ?


    Separated by a decorative screen, Roseanne couldn''t see who was at the main table, only hearing the bustling voices, clinking sses, and the light sound of cutlery.


    one


    Not long after the meal started, Baily couldn''t stay put. Picking up


    ss, he walked around the towards the main table.


    belongs to


    This was his purpose for attending today.


    his


    Even the appearance of Roseanne, a minor distraction, didn''t deter him from his main objective—


    "Mr. Reynolds, what a pleasure... I''ll drink to you first..."


    Shaw?


    Roseanne felt a stir of curiosity and looked towards the main table.


    But all she saw was the ink-painted screen, with shadows flickering behind it.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!