Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Alva caught the critical point in the conversation, "You're saying, the villa was bought by Roseanne?"

"Yeah, that girl has really made something of herself! Not like our Lauretta, who can only settle for a steady job at the power company..."

"How on earth did Roseanne get so much money as a young lady?"

Abbey covered her mouth with a hand, her laughter carrying a hint of mischief, "Well, that I don't know. But, as you said, she's a young lady. Nowadays, young ladies are quite capable. Designer clothes, luxury handbags - if they can't afford them, it doesn't mean they can't have someone else buy it for them..."

Alva's brow furrowed deeply.

"Oh dear, look at me, blabbering about things I shouldn't. Alright then, you're busy, I'll let you go."

Abbey chose this moment to gracefully exit the conversation, not lingering any further.

However, Alva, still holding the phone that had gone silent, appeared deep in thought.

No sooner had Abbey hung up with Alva, she dialed Raven.

"Hey, it's Abbey..."

"Just the person I wanted to talk to. I've got some clients who dropped off some wines and local goodies for the holidays. I've divided them into two portions, one for your family and one for Norris'. Swing by when you have a moment."

Abbey's family, but this was the first year Norris was

sour feeling settled in

Norris getting a

this time around," Raven

that no matter how much

family... I doubt

"Not interested?" Raven frowned.

type to live in lakefront villas, rich people, you know? What don't they

villas?" Raven was familiar with the

familiar, but

her son reaching marriageable age, she, as a mother, started to look into

son Halley was a

with his own startup. Naturally, his future wife had to come from a good family, so the matrimonial home couldn't be

one

about comfort or convenience; the choice also

depended on the neighborily

opportunity to connect socially,

settled on the Pearl by

the question; if they were buying, it