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."

away, the click of

are better company than a

into a mud puddle

with such trashy neighbors. Today was

As for the contract...

was still half a month left; Madge would 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

even consider working with her, let alone publish

visit; once the contract expired, Madge would

snubbed, but she also had to endure a tirade from a lunatic. Hmph! She would make

Louisa? Didn't Mr. Cole's family move

stray relative of his, I guess. Banging on my door early in the

gone to his mansion, not

her

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

more Louisa heard, the sourer her expression