“Mr. Rowe…” Luigi hesitated. “After spending time with Ms. Krueger these days, I’ve noticed something off. I’m afraid she’s been living as well as you picture these years.”
Lamont paused in writing. “What do you mean?”
Luigi replied, “She’s got more than one scar, and she talks after she falls asleep in the car. She sometimes even cries. After having a row with someone, her first reaction is to apologize even if it’s not her fault.” He was always cautious and even a bit suspicious.
Lamont shrugged. “It’s nothing big. She’s too willful; some minor changes won’t do her any harm.”
Luigi lowered his head and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he opened them again and braced himself to tell Lamont what he had seen that day. “Also… we went out to eat one day and bumped into a man at the restaurant.”
Lamont closed the file in his hand and leaned backward in his chair. “If it’s nothing important, you don’t have to tell…”
“He grabbed her and claimed she had worked in a motel.” Worried that Lamont didn’t get his underlying implication, he added, “The kind that offers extra service.”
Thanks to Luigi, the car used for picking up and dropping off Rosella was very comfy. There was a supportive cushion behind the passenger seat so that she wouldn’t feel tired even after sitting for a long time.
Luigi drove steadily, and she always felt more at ease when around him.
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Chapter 19
1288 Vouchers
Gripping her knees, she sat upright and asked cautiously, “Where are we going?”
Luigi, the real gentleman, always treated her with respect and gentleness. He said softly, “You’ll know when we get there.”
She followed him into Blossom Club. Like the mountain resort, it was built in recent years, and she had never been here before. Compared to the resort, it was more upscale and quieter here, with a hotel on the middle floor and a matched hot spring upstairs.
It was the only way to find out how many scars she had.
Standing at the entrance, she felt the warm steam as the faint scent of minerals filled the air.
She was obviously nervous. Instead of taking the key handed by Luigi, she said, “Can I … skip the hot spring? I’m … a bit uncomfortable.”
It seemed she realized his real purpose of taking her here.
“I’m not going in with you; I’ll be next door. No need to be nervous,” he smiled, which relieved her a lot. “Mr. Rowe wanted me to take you here. He was worried you might be exhausted by work lately.”
Hearing this, Rosella was no longer that uneasy. Though she was still a bit reluctant, turning him down again seemed unnecessary.
She took the key, walked into the women’s locker room, and changed her clothes. The thick steam rising from the hot spring obscured her vision as she stepped into the pool along the warm stone steps. The temperature was just right; coupled with the steam, they indeed relaxed her.
However, before she could close her eyes, she felt ripples coming her way; it seemed someone was approaching. Realizing this, she sank slowly into the water, though her face remained above the water.
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Chapter 19
288 Vouchers
“Rosella?” a woman said, her voice filled with surprise.
Rosella opened her eyes, only to see a pure, pretty face. Because of the warm steam, the woman’s face flushed a little. She had tied her hair into a bun, revealing her slender neck. Even the strands of her hair exuded a noble, elegant aura.
“Rosella, it’s really you!”
Rosella subconsciously wanted to flee. In a state like this, she’d only be ridiculed by someone she had known in the past. However, there was nowhere she could run to. She forced a smile, saying, “Hi, Lorena.”
Lorena Esparza beamed. “You’re really back! I thought Millard was joking when he told me.”
In silence, Rosella lowered her head, letting the warm steam envelop her face. The temperature seemed to rise, making her want to flee even more. “Well… I’m leaving.”
“Wait!” Lorena grabbed her. “Are you here by yourself? Why don’t we eat later together? Millard will join us. Well, he’ll join us later. You know he’s always busy.”
Rosella wanted to go, but Lorena firmly grabbed her arm. but I really have to go.”
“I’m sorry,
She pushed away Lorena’s hand and walked along the stone steps. Seeing this, Lorena quickly followed her. She trotted toward the locker room as the water dripped from her legs onto the slippery floor. As soon as she stepped into the locker room, a force from behind made her fall forward.
“Rosella!”
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