Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

With a sneer, the woman's gaze raked over Nadine from head to toe. "Well, look at you. That outfit doesn't exactly scream 'respectable lady,' does it? All dolled up, but who knows how many guys you've entertained last night?" Nadine was dumbstruck.

She hadn't expected such a vile barrage of insults, a direct attack on her character.

"You... you" She was so furious, she was shaking.

But to hurl back insults in the same manner? She just couldn't stoop to that level of filth.

"Me, me, me, what? Got your tongue tied, can't speak clearly? Guess your overnight rate must be on discount, huh? Fifty? Seventy? Surely not a hundred bucks? You think you're worth that much?"

Nadine's cheeks flushed with anger, "I won't stoop to arguing with someone as vile as you, utterly nonsensical, unreasonable, and filthy to the core!"

"Oh, getting fancy with your words now? I can do that too-flirt, shameless, harlot, lowlife!"

Nadine was speechless.

"I... I won't stoop to your level. There's no point. You're only fit to be compared with swine."

on her heel and strode away, the click of her high heels

better company than a

sinking into a mud puddle

with such trashy neighbors. Today was just one

As for the contract...

surely come crawling back to renew. The publishing market had seen a major shakeup over the fast decade, with physical book sales struggling. Madge's fame had waned, and having

consider working with her, let

visit; once the contract

it, the more she regretted coming. Not only had she been snubbed, but she also had to

did you start arguing again, Louisa? Didn't Mr. Cole's family move out?" A neighbor passed

I guess. Banging on my door early in the morning, woke

They should've gone to his mansion,

rolled her eyes,

huge, so lavish, with several floors and two gardens. When we visited the other day, the flowers were blooming beautifully! And the vegetables in the garden, so

Louisa heard, the sourer her expression