Chapter 268
“By the way, I wonder what your relationship with Jonathan is. Would you mind telling us and satisfy our curiosity?” Jasmine asked.
Rosalie wore a faint smile as she responded, “That’s a personal matter. I don’t think it is appropriate to talk about it.”
As soon as she said this, the three women’s expressions changed. Chelsea, the daughter of the convenience store chain chairman, immediately responded, “What you just said is quite unpleasant. Is there something scandalous among us that you dare not speak of?”
Rosalie’s face darkened slightly. Even though she hoped to avoid it, there was no escaping this conversation.
Meanwhile, Lucy, the granddaughter of the hotel owner, scrutinized Rosalie’s face, furrowing her brows in contemplation.
Chelsea pressed further, “Could it be that you used improper means to get involved with Jonathan?”
Rosalie pursed her lips slightly and said, “I’m sorry, but I believe I have something to attend to. I’ll excuse myself for now.” With that, she attempted to leave.
It was obvious that these three women were clearly there to confront her, and sticking around would only lead to more complications. Rosalie figured it was best to remove herself from the situation.
However, they were not about to let her off the hook,
Chelsea stepped directly into her path, asserting, “Why the hurry to leave? How about answering our questions first? There is nothing that can’t be openly discussed. If you have nothing to hide, what harm is there in talking?”
Rosalie raised her gaze, locking eyes with the woman before her. She understood that the situation before her could not be resolved amicably, and since there was no way to evade it, she could only confront them head-on.
“You’re Miss Chelsea, aren’t you? Hasn’t your family’s convenience store chain recently come under investigation for tax evasion by the tax authorities? Why don’t you start by explaining what transpired? Is it true there was tax evasion? If it’s a misunderstanding, how did it arise? I’ve also heard that the tax bureau officials involved in this case have some kind of association with your family. If there is nothing to hide, you wouldn’t mind talking about it, would you?
Rosalie’s barrage of questions left Chelsea wearing an extremely displeased expression. The tax evasion matter had been a recent source of embarrassment for her family, and they were doing everything they could to resolve it.
One of Chelsea’s purposes for attending this banquet today was to seek help from Jasmine and Lucy’s families, who had connections within the tax bureau. If they were willing to help, it would significantly ease the situation that her family was riddled with.
However, with Rosalie now posing these questions, how could she possibly answer them?
Feeling slighted, Chelsea glared fiercely at Rosalie. “Who do you think you are, daring to ask me about these matters?”
Rosalie smirked, retorting, “And who do you believe yourself to be? Your supposed openness seems to only apply when it suits you. Is there a law obliging me to divulge my affairs to you?”
“You…” Chelsea was used to being praised and hadn’t faced this kind of anger before. She raised her hand as if to slap Rosalie, but Rosalie deftly raised her own hand and swatted Chelsea’s hand away.
Turning away, Rosalie didn’t want to stay here any longer to avoid becoming the center of a commotion. Just then, Lucy, who had remained silent until now, suddenly exclaimed, “I remember now! You’re Zachary’s ex-girlfriend, right? You’re the one who went to prison because of the car accident! It is the accident that killed Jonathan’s fiancée Melanie…”
As their conversation unfolded, Lucy found it bizarre. It was simply too unbelievable that the person responsible for Melanie’s death was now in a relationship with Jonathan!
Chelsea and Jasmine were astonished upon the revelation.
Chelsea suddenly erupted into laughter. “I thought you were someone important. Turns out, you’re a murderer, huh? Does Jonathan know that you’re responsible for Melanie’s death?”
Chelsea was now eager to find out what expression Rosalie would have when Jonathan learned about her involvement in the car accident all those years ago.
In her view, Jonathan must have been oblivious to the truth. Otherwise, why would he bring Rosalie, the culprit, as his date to the banquet?
On the other hand, Jasmine flashed a wry smile. “By the way, Zachary is also here at this banquet. I just saw him with Yvette. How about we arrange for you two, the former couple, to meet?”
Chelsea brightened at the suggestion. She immediately looked up and coincidentally spotted Zachary and Yvette not far
away.
Chelsea loudly called out to them, “Zachary, your ex-girlfriend is here. Aren’t you coming over to say
hello?”
Chelsea’s words were quite loud, and as a result, not only Zachary but also some people around had heard them. Suddenly, many eyes turned in their direction.
It was clear that Chelsea wanted to embarrass Rosalie publicly.
Zachary was momentarily surprised. He turned his head in the direction of the voice and saw Rosalie in a light purple gown. Instantly, a hint of bewilderment crossed his gaze.
She looked elegant and poised that day. Her exquisite makeup complemented her carefully styled hair. Zachary felt he was looking at the Rosalie from three and a half years ago.
No, she was even more beautiful than she was back then as if the passage of time had settled into her. After experiencing so much, her former sharpness had now softened, replaced by a serene and tranquil aura that made people feel comfortable.
Still, Zachary wondered why Rosalie was here. Could it be that Jonathan had brought her? If so, why wasn’t Jonathan with her now?
A flood of questions raced through Zachary’s mind.
Beside Zachary, Yvette noticed his bewildered expression upon seeing Rosalie. Her eyes flickered for a moment. Then, she smiled before suggesting, “Zachary, shall we go over there?”
It was only then that Zachary snapped out of his daze. He nodded in response. The two Zachary and Yvette then walked over to Rosalie.
When Zachary reached Rosalie, he managed an awkward smile. “I did not expect to see you here,” he remarked.
“Well, you’re in for quite a few surprises,” Rosalie retorted. Before she could continue, Chelsea, seemingly eager to add fuel to the fire, chimed in, “Jonathan brought your ex-girlfriend with him today, Zachary. It seems like she’s flourishing without you.”
Chelsea’s words were intended to provoke Rosalie, but they had an unintended consequence. Yvette’s expression abruptly
shifted.
Seeing that, Jasmine promptly intervened to diffuse the tension. “Yvette, please don’t take it to heart. Chelsea can be a bit too blunt at times, but she genuinely did not intend any ill will towards Zachary.”
