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."

that, she turned on her heel and strode away, the click

right-swine are better company than a lowlife like

puddle and ruining her expensive

in, with such trashy neighbors.

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 Madge's fame had waned, and having withdrawn from social media, she was out of touch with the

working with her, let alone publish

the contract expired, Madge would

more she regretted coming. Not only had she been snubbed, but she also had to endure a tirade from a lunatic. Hmph! She would

Didn't Mr. Cole's family move out?" A neighbor passed by, laughing

Some stray relative of his, I guess. Banging on my door

should've gone to

her

Mr. Cole's mansion, though? It's huge, so lavish, with several floors and two gardens. When we visited the other day,

Louisa heard, the sourer her