The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 208

Sasha was visibly annoyed. She stepped closer to Joanna and said, emphasizing each word, "I love flowers, and someone sent me flowers. Isn't that good enough?

"Why does it have to be from a man? Do flowers from men smell better? Or are they more valuable?"

Sasha couldn't wrap her head around Joanna's mindset.

Unable to hide her coy smile, Joanna replied, "Because if a man is willing to send you flowers, it means he loves you."

Sasha was rendered speechless.

She nearly rolled her eyes but stopped herself. Instead, she forced a smile and said in a calm tone, "My friend sent me flowers because she loves me, too. Otherwise, why would she bother spending the money?" With that, Sasha hugged her bouquet and returned to her desk.

...

At lunchtime, just as I was tidying up my desk, Sasha burst into my office.

She glanced stealthily at Zane to confirm he was still engrossed in work before leaning close to me and whispering about some gossip she had just overheard.

I stared at her, incredulous. She had only been at Game Department for a few hours, yet she already knew so much.

was impressed. "You're really

really." Sasha

up his tasks and approached us,

grabbed my arm. "Anna, I haven't had the chance to ask. What do you like?" She put on a mischievous expression and asked, "Can you

about it seriously for a long time before finally

had always lived for others. I worked hard to become the kind of daughter Mom wanted. Later, as a wife and mother, I strived to be what others considered "perfect".

agreed

there was a knock at

in," Zane said

and a delivery man

puzzled. I hadn't ordered anything.

bouquet of

people in this city, and those close

them?"

replied honestly, "I have

to hold up his work,

turned to Zane,

"Yeah," Zane mouthed back.