Chapter 267
Rosalie rarely heard Jonathan referring to someone as a friend, hinting at a profound connection between him and Alan. She greeted Alan with grace, “Hello, I’m Rosalie.”
“Hello, I’ve been eager to meet you for some time now. Unfortunately, circumstances never seemed to align until now,” Alan replied with a smile. His curiosity had long piqued about the woman who had captivated his friend’s heart.
Particularly memorable was that New Year’s Eve when Jonathan had boldly ventured to a small town near Strico, accompanied by a cadre of officers from the police station, all in pursuit of that woman. For that woman, Jonathan had even left behind his grandfather in the Youngblood family, a move that had left Alan both astonished and intrigued.
Now, as Alan looked at Rosalie, he realized that although she was not the kind of stunning beauty that would leave people breathless, she exuded a gentle aura that put others at ease, offering a soothing, non-threatening comfort in her presence. In Rosalie’s company, her influence was evident, calming Jonathan’s usual restlessness.
Suddenly, Alan began to understand why his friend had fallen for Rosalie. In their world of constant scheming and deceit, pretense often outweighed sincerity. Even at the pinnacle of their power, a slight misstep could lead to their downfall. While they might appear to be at ease, beneath the surface, they were always on their guard.
In such a high-stakes environment, Rosalie’s serene and soothing presence was a rare gem.
“By the way, while making my way here, I overheard discussions about this year’s internet trends. Would you care to join us?” Alan asked Jonathan. As the former mentioned the names of those participating, Rosalie instantly recognized them as prominent figures in the internet world.
Those were individuals whom she would never cross paths with in her everyday life, yet there she was, being in the same banquet.
Upon hearing that, Jonathan appeared interested. He turned to Rosalie and asked, “Would you like to join me?”
“No, I would not grasp what was being talked about. You go ahead. I’ll take a moment to rest right here,” Rosalie declined.
“Alright,” Jonathan nodded. Then he added, “What about food?”
“I will take it myself. Don’t worry.” Rosalie’s smile persisted as she reassured him.
Meanwhile, Alan could not help but be taken aback as he watched his long-time friend, the typically self-assured Jonathan, assume a protective role. The latter was even advising Rosalie not to indulge in certain alcoholic beverages, cautioning her about the strength of the drinks, and suggesting she be cautious while walking to avoid accidents. He even proposed that she could ask a waiter for help if she did not want to get her food.
Alan almost felt as if he were looking at someone who merely resembled Jonathan.
Jonathan’s concern for Rosalie’s safety was so profound that he appeared as though he was so close to cradling her. protectively in the palms of his hands, fearing that she might choke during meals or stumble while walking.
If others were to witness that side of Jonathan, they would be in great disbelief. Jonathan, who was known for being a demanding figure in Strico, had never shown such concern for a woman before.
It was as if he was determined to cater to her every need.
When the two walked away from Rosalie, Alan could not resist commenting, “I don’t often see you showing such genuine care for a woman.”
“True,” Jonathan admitted without hesitation.
Hearing that, Alan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you being serious?”
Jonathan gave him a casual glance and retorted, “Is there a need for me to lie to you?”
Gulp!
Alan swallowed hard as a lump formed in his throat. There was only one conclusion to draw. The woman Rosalie he had just met was undeniably destined to marry into the Youngblood family and become the future lady of the Youngblood family.
“It seems like she’s the fortunate one,” Alan murmured to himself.
“I’m the fortunate one,” Jonathan softly confessed. Or perhaps it could be said that Rosalie’s misfortune had paved the way for his good fortune.
If it weren’t for that car accident years ago, she might already be married to Zachary, with children, and they might not have crossed paths. He would not have known how delightful it was to have her by his side.
Alan was left in awe by Jonathan’s words.
At that very moment, there was a distinct feeling that Jonathan was truly under Rosalie’s control!
Rosalie took a glass of champagne from the waiter and took a sip. It had a low alcohol content and a fruity flavor, making it quite enjoyable.
However, she knew that she could not have too much of the champagne. With her limited tolerance for alcohol, overindulging would only lead to getting drunk.
As she savored the champagne, her eyes wandered across the room. Glasses clinked, and conversations flowed, weaving a vibrant tapestry of accomplished individuals. In the past, she had been a part of those very scenes, mingling with the high-society crowd, forging connections that would benefit her future career.
Back then, she meticulously adorned herself for those banquets, always striving to make a lasting impression during conversations. When talking to people at the banquet, she had been mindful not to put her then-boyfriend Zachary in an uncomfortable position, fearing her presence might tarnish his image.
Now, as she contemplated those moments, it felt like a different lifetime.
Just then, a group of women approached Rosalie. One of them spoke, “You’re Jonathan’s companion tonight, aren’t you?”
Rosalie looked up and recognized these women. They were all socialites of Strico, often featured in gossip magazines.
More precisely, she recognized them not because of their media coverage, but because when she had been Zachary’s girlfriend, she had gathered information and familiarized herself with the socialites in Strico to avoid causing Zachary any embarrassment.
Among the trio of women before her, one was the granddaughter of a jewelry mogul, another hailed from the family of the chairman of a chain convenience store, and the third was the granddaughter of the owner of a famous five-star hotel in
Strico.
Undoubtedly, the most renowned among them was Jasmine, the jewelry mogul’s granddaughter. She possessed both beauty and confidence, always attracting a swarm of admirers, yet it seemed she had not found anyone who truly piqued her interest.
Jasmine had once shared with the media, “The man who captures my heart must naturally be the best. Otherwise, I would rather not bother.”
During that period, numerous media outlets speculated that Jasmine might have been interested in Jonathan. However, shortly thereafter, Jonathan and Melanie announced their engagement, and the gossip surrounding Jasmine and Jonathan naturally waned, with no one resurrecting the topic.
Thoughts of Melanie cast a shadow over Rosalie’s mood.
“Yes, I am,” she replied, rising to her feet. She had a hunch that these three women before her might not have the best
intentions.
“I’m Jasmine. May I know your name?” Jasmine said as she wore a friendly smile, as if eager to befriend Rosalie.
Rosalie did not harbor the slightest belief that the woman was truly interested in making friends. However, given the circumstances, she could not simply remain unresponsive. So, she politely replied, “I’m Rosalie.”
