Chapter 93
“I just hope you can inform the police to let them go. To you, it’s just a matter of conveying a statement,” she said hurriedly. “Yes, it’s just a statement. But what about it?” His calm, unruffled composure made a stark contrast to her anxious state. Her hands at the side of her body clenched. She took a deep breath, met his eyes, and questioned, “What do you want me to do in order for you to let them go?”
His eyes darkened slightly. He put down the pen in his hand, stood up, and strolled until he stood before Rosalie.
He held her hands gently and commented, “Your hands seem very cold.”
Her body stiffened abruptly. Compared to his, her hands were indeed cold.
He lowered his head and put both her hands atop his palms. Then, he rubbed them gently, intending to warm her hands. He did that skillfully, gently, and even with a tad of attentiveness, as though she were a treasure he cared for.
“Oh dear. What am I thinking?” Rosalie hastily scolded herself not to think about nonsensical matters. Just then, his low murmuring voice sounded to her ears as he said, “Do you feel your hands getting warmer, Rosie?”
“Yes, my hands felt warmer. She subconsciously wanted to retrieve her hand, but he held on to them tightly.
“There’s no rush. Rubbing the hands together a little more, they’ll be warmer,” he added.
Rosalie looked at the man in front of her, puzzled. His gentleness and his previous indifference and mockery, seemed to be that of two people.
Even though her hands were getting warmer, she seemed more uncertain and nervous.
“What exactly do you want me to do before you agree to let them go?” Rosalie could not help but repeat her question. “Why do you suddenly change your mind and want to let them go, Rosie?” Jonathan asked instead of answering.
“My Granny is in poor health and has been hospitalized. I don’t want her to worry about it anymore,” she answered honestly. “Really? It seems that your grandmother holds an important place in your heart. Because of her, you’ve come here to beg for my help in just a few days. His voice was very soft, like a bass cello being played slowly.
His smell infiltrated the air and filled her nostrils. She felt all of her blood flowing into the hands that he was holding onto. “So, what is my position in your heart, Rosie?” He suddenly raised his head. His beautiful eyes were glued to her intently as if he wanted to see through her.
She trembled suddenly and was in a daze when her almond-shaped eyes met his jet-black eyes.
In his pupils, she could see the reflections of her own panicked face.
He leaned down, and his face inched close to her. His gentle breathing brushed against her face, and he sneered, “It must not have been an important position. If it were, you wouldn’t have left without hesitation in the first place. I think I’m dismissible, right?”
Her hands were still warm, but her body felt colder with each passing moment.
Rosalie stared at his up-close, handsome face in a daze. The expression on his face remained gentle. Even his movement of rubbing her hands was still so soft, but his eyes were cold and frosty.
At that instant, she seemed to understand something. Yet, she refused to give up and pushed on to ask, “W-Will you let them go?”
“No,” answered Jonathan.
Her heart seemed to be sinking. “Yes, that’s Jonathan. I’m afraid that no woman has ever refused him before. How can such a proud man like him allow it?” she thought.
“So, you’re willing to meet me just to tell me that? No matter how I plead with you, you won’t agree, is that right?” She uttered the statement with much difficulty.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He raised one hand and gently tucked stray hairs on her cheek behind her car with his long fingers. Then, he reminded her, “At that time, you said you didn’t want to stay by my side. And you don’t need my help to change your fate. Also, you’ve said that you’d not regret that.”
His movements were so elegant, and his voice was so gentle. He bent down, his lips approaching her ear, and he smelled of fresh orchids.
His breath grazed softly against her ears and neck. However, she was stiff all over. She only felt the boulder against her chest so much that she was almost out of breath.
“I’mnecting you to let you understand how ridiculous your so-called no regrets are,” he stated, looking at her with limpid
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Chapter 93
That instant, coldness hovered over her as if she was immersed in freezing water.
True, it was indeed ridiculous. Rosalie could hardly remember how she left Jonathan.
From the beginning, he had never thought of agreeing to her request, and she was in no position to ask of him at all.
That meeting was just her bringing contempt upon herself, nothing more.
When Rosalie went to work the next day, she was somewhat absent-minded. A relative from her mother’s hometown called and said that Wilma’s condition had worsened. Although she was sober, she was in a confused state of mind. All day, she would fuss about seeing Daniel and the others, and she had forgotten about other matters.
The doctor said that it was Alzheimer’s disease, and Wilma had it rather quickly. It would take others several years to develop its severity. However, Wilma’s condition had suddenly worsened to that extent, which might become more serious later on.
Rosalie’s heart sank when she heard that. It seemed that there was no such thing as hitting rock bottom. There was only sinking further, where things could get worse beyond imagination.
“Rosalie, the doctor also advised that your granny should meet your uncle and the others as soon as possible. That will be of help to her condition. How long do you want to keep them locked up for?” Her relative was scolding and implying her heartlessness, but she did not forthrightly say so.
Rosalie was crestfallen and she smiled bitterly, thinking. The matter is not within my control at all.”
When it was time to get off work, the exhausted Rosalie was about to leave. Lucas stopped her and said, “I’ll take you home, Rosalie. I have a car, so it’s convenient.” Lucas blushed slightly when he said that.
Rosalie looked at the man in front of her and did not know what to do as not to hurt such an honest person. She knew Lucas was interested in her, whom she had refused before.
That man and her were not suitable. If she were to accept his kindness and feelings, perhaps that would hurt him more.
“There’s no need. I don’t live far from here. It will be a short walk,” Rosalie said.
“But you don’t look well,” he added hurriedly.
“There’s really no need for it,” Rosalie said, brushed past him, and walked out of the Environment and Sanitation Administration.
