Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Madge forced a smile, the awkwardness clear on her face.

If she could really make a living off royalties, she wouldn't be waiting for her daughter to buy them a mansion.

Roseanne caught the impatience in Madge's eyes and took the initiative, "Abbey, Irving, Mom and I have some errands, so we'll be heading off now..."

"No way, it's the holidays, what could you possibly be so busy with? And let me tell you, Roseanne, you're pushing thirty, not in school, not getting a job, and don't even get a boyfriend. I mean, look around, which girl your age still relies on her parents?"

The cherry incident from before was still fresh in her memory.

Finally seizing the opportunity, Abbey didn't hold back, "And don't get me started on your cousin Halley, now there's a man who's opened his own tech startup in Silicon Valley, sky's the limit for him. And our dear Lauretta, maybe not as ambitious, but she worked her tail off and landed a job at the energy department, pretty much set for life. I really worry for Norris, all that hard work raising a child and for what? Not to shine the family name, but can't even fend for herself, still leeching off her parents, I mean, come on..."

Abbey shook her head, sighing deeply.

Beside her, Irving was desperately trying to catch her eye, signaling her to stop, but she was oblivious.

quite the achiever, getting into the energy department with just an associate's

obedient and sensible! Her grandfather even said, in a couple of years, he'll find her a nice governmental match, and she'll be a high-ranking officer's

grew even louder, "All I want in this life is

up?" Irving couldn't stand it any longer, "Dragging everything into this... Sorry about this, she

retorted, "Giving you face, am I? So, I'm not even allowed to speak the truth now? What's there to apologize for?" Irving was visibly flustered, silenced by

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in-laws, with top jobs at the energy department, securing him

nět

energy company, where clocking in and out was his only concern, and he still brought home a hefty paycheck thanks to Abbey's family.

You had plenty to say earlier,

a blend

by his wife in front of Madge and Roseanne was a blow to his pride, utterly

indifferent to his turmoil, continuing her