Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne offered a slight smile, "It's fine, no need to tiptoe around it."

Despite her words, the atmosphere still dipped into an awkward silence.

Suddenly, the background noise on Leda's end grew louder, "Anne, gotta go, the family dinner is starting, and my mom's been looking for me everywhere."

"Sure."

After hanging up, Roseanne was about to put her phone down when several messages popped up.

It was Corley Sullivan.

He sent over some international lawsuit documents, a notice of acceptance, and briefly updated her on the current progress. The rest were documents that required her signature. International lawsuits were more complex and time-consuming than domestic ones, so Roseanne was somewhat surprised by the quick progress.

After downloading the files and signing them online, she forwarded them back to Corley.

He acknowledged them immediately, sending back a message with a hint of jest:

"You trust me that much? Not afraid I might sell you out?"

Roseanne replied, "You wouldn't."

Corley felt a warm surge in his heart and couldn't help but smile.

was evidently pleased by her response and

just the usual paperwork, nothing beyond

an eyebrow, unfazed by

Corley had any ulterior motives, he

Christmas Eve. I hope my wish comes

her phone over and placed it face down on the bed. After all, she wasn't Santa Claus; his wishes were

dad made some cookies, come and

prompting Roseanne to

holiday's special

the couch, occasionally savored a cherry her mother fed her-she couldn't be

the TV host's countdown, fireworks soared into the night sky outside, bursting into a

was also setting off

covering her ears, yet

crackling sounds filled the

the yard with a smile. Suddenly, she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. An unknown number was

noticing the Lumina City IP address, she decided to pick up. "Merry

cultured voice came through, bringing a wider smile to Roseanne's

"Mr. Reynolds, Merry Christmas."

at the fireworks