Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Mrs. Thomas was buzzing with excitement, a rare sight since Silver seldom joined such gatherings, and even when he did, it was usually just for show.

After brewing a pot of tea with such care, naturally, she wanted to savor it properly.

Roseanne approached the duo, and as she glanced up, her gaze met Silver's head-on.

Silver was taken aback at first, perhaps a tad embarrassed, then let out a snort through his nose, tinged with a hint of arrogance.

However, to Roseanne, this superficial haughtiness likely served to mask that flicker of discomfort.

Mrs. Thomas chimed in, "Ms. Cole, how do you find the tea?"

Roseanne rinsed her mouth before taking a sip.

After a pause, she honestly critiqued, "The tea leaves are overbearing, not enough water, resulting in a brew that's too dark and bitter. Plus, it seems the pot wasn't pre-warmed, or the temperature wasn't quite right, so the full aroma of the tea isn't coming through." Mrs. Thomas burst into laughter, "I told you skipping steps would change the taste, and you insisted it'd go unnoticed. Well, Ms. Cole noticed, didn't he?"

Silver's face darkened.

Even though Roseanne spoke the truth without malice, was there a need to be so blunt?

have been a bit more

laughed even harder and said, "I guess I should've lowered my expectations of

Silver was speechless.

oblivious to having offended anyone, had already moved on to taste

...

Roseanne being fawned over by the elite ladies, genuinely praised, feeling

these high-society ladies, striving for years to be able to sit and

nothing but conduct a tea

Why?

irked her

and

assessments

or flattering, even when

the usually picky and harsh ladies didn't seem to mind,

turned into something beyond

after apologizing, dared not speak. Her tea was a disaster, adding to

daughter-in-law might not be so bad, certainly better than this