As Charles stood by the open bar, allowing him to drink some Hennessy whiskey because he had skipped champagne earlier, he suddenly found himself face to face with Rosabella drinking her own drink.

He couldn't help but sweep her down, unlike the elegant robed maids, she wore a tight black strapless dress that hugged her in place.


When his eyes finally locked with hers, he could see her inviting gaze on him.

Charles had become adept at reading her wordless wishes and desires and in that moment, he understood exactly what she wanted from him.

However, he only finds he feels locked in place unable to do anything.


So, swallowing, he forced himself to avert his face and finally managed to take his eyes off her.

---


Anger flows through Rosabella's system as she views Charles's response as indifference, making her feel unwanted.

The past two weeks have drained her patience with him, but since he's acting like this now, she doesn't bother putting up a front anymore.

Wanting to leave the venue as she quickly strode across the dance floor to the nearest exit, a tall thin figure suddenly stepped in her way, causing her to stop abruptly, stopping to crash into her body. the fit man belongs to none other than the newly recruited Black Roses member - Eddie.

"If it weren't for our lovely nurse. You look gorgeous today."

Rosabella found her surprised by the sudden compliment after she had just been rejected by Charles.

Staring at Eddie, she saw him smiling brightly at her, clearly unashamed to show his attraction to her as he reached out his hand towards her.

"Can I at least have a dance? At least allow me this much after being ignored again and again."

His tone was light and playful so Rosabella just took his hand and let him be led to the middle of the dance floor.

When Eddie held her waist and arms and she placed her free hand on his shoulder, they quickly fell into a comfortable sway.

Suddenly, she suddenly realized what her partner had just said, which confused her.

"What did you mean just now? As far as I know, I haven't forgiven you yet?"

She frowned at him as he frowned at her.

"Are not?" He chuckled.

"I mean it's true. We chatted normally over dinner, but you never replied to any of my notes."

Rosabella blinked, her expression blank. "Note what?"

"The people I snuck under your door, Rosabella."

Without answering, the wheel in Rosabella's mind immediately began to spin. Charles must have thrown them out without telling her.

Looking for him in the crowd, she wasn't surprised to find him standing there, throwing back his drink as he fought his rampage while looking at her.

She shot a defiant glance at him, sending him a clear message.

You do not want me? Okay, it's not like I need you, asshole.

She wanted to take Eddie up on whatever offer he made to her on those notes and get rid of that damn arrogant second son.

But she knows she can't do that now. Acknowledging the fact that she never received any of the notes would alert Eddie that it must have been someone else who deleted them.

One who doesn't want him close to Rosabella. She couldn't risk him finding out.

So, looking back at her dance partner, she flashed an apologetic smile and continued to politely decline him.

---

Just as Eddie released her as a new song began, Rosabella felt a hand grip her upper arm and pull her out of the guest vicinity, to the side of the venue.

"What the hell?" Charles hissed at her through clenched teeth, seemingly seething as he mentioned the dance she had just shared with Eddie.

Suppressing her anger, Rosabella knew she would anger him even more if she acted indifferent.

So when she lifts her face up at him to show him that she doesn't care, she just shrugs and purses her lips.

"Just a fun dance with Eddie."

"Rosabella..."

"What? What do you want, Charles?" She was defiant, her voice as sharp as death from his reaction.

She hasn't even received as little as a glance for the longest time and now?

However, instead of enjoying the fact that he clearly declared defeat, it only made Rosabella angrier.

She knows they're just messing around, but she's not his rag doll to throw aside and come back to claim whenever he wants.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. We have a deal and you..."

"What?"

Rosabella puffed her chest and walked past him a few paces only for him to immediately catch up with her, grabbing her arm and pressing her back against a large column that was part of the venue's interior design.

"What the hell?" His face was so close to hers that she could feel his hot breath on hers, slightly accelerated from the heated exchange they were having.

She glared at him. "That's right. Because it doesn't matter, Charles. I told you at the beginning and I'll say it again. Anyway, Fanny and I will be leaving soon."

She tries to walk away again only to be pulled back again.

"Is that so? You don't care about your safety? Just stay." He told her straight, fortunately not loud enough for people to notice because the music and dance going on was mostly tuning them out.

"I won't stay. I hate this life. We both know this." She shouted back.

She could see as Charles exhaled a synthetic breath through his flared nostrils. She hates that every time he loses his temper with her, how much sexier he is.

It was because it was she who made him act like this.

He's surrounded by danger, threats, and violence, but that's her.

"I get it. You hate this life, don't you? We're terrible, murderers have spoiled your best friend. You know what? You need to stay sane. Fanny is happy. She doesn't even need you, so don't get wrapped up in her."