Roo flashed a reassuring grin. "Don’t worry, Clark. The only person who can ditch in this lifeti is Rose."
"What are you talking about? You’re making my sister sound like so heartbreaker!"
At the end of the clear glass walkway, they stood side by side in a huge heart-shaped structure, chatting and laughing as they admired the distant scenery.
That evening, as Roo dropped the siblings off at the Reflections Villa, he noticed a Rolls-Royce parked at the entrance.
’There must be guests.’
"I guess I should leave then. Don’t want to intrude on your folks," Roo addressed Rose before him with a tender smile. "Get so rest."
"Sure, drive safe."
"Will do."
Witnessing their reluctance to say goodbye, Clark suddenly felt like a third wheel.
Inside the villa, Louisa greeted the young woman with a beaming smile. "Crystal, you look even prettier than the last ti I saw you."
"You’re too kind." Crystal Temple lit up the room with her vivacious energy. "Actually, without makeup, you’re naturally beautiful, Louisa. And with makeup, you are like a goddess descending to Earth."
Louisa chuckled, thoroughly flattered. "Your silver tongue never fails to charm."
"Flowers can’t hold a candle to you, Louisa. A blooming bud lacks your grace and elegance, a fully blood flower isn’t as breathtaking, and a wilting flower is simply no match for your tiless beauty."
Louisa laughed heartily.
"Crystal has always been lively and intelligent. She brings joy to everyone around her," Kenneth proudly shared with his old friend Alger Temple. "Having her at ho is like having a warm coat on a cold day. She makes life so much warr."
"Ha! Our ’warm coat’ has so leaks, I’m afraid. Just graduated, and she’s already thinking about Clark."
"Haha, what did Clark do to deserve such attention?" Kenneth laughed heartily. "He went out with his sister this afternoon and hasn’t returned yet."
Just as he finished speaking, a servant reported, "Mr. Clark and Miss Rose have returned."
Crystal’s eyes lit up with anticipation as she turned towards the villa entrance.
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Allow to introduce you to my recently found daughter, Rosemary Collins."
Louisa gently held Rosemary’s hand and introduced her to the Temples. "Rose, this is Alger, Celeste, and their daughter Crystal. Crystal is older than you, so you should call her ’sister.’"
"Alger, Celeste, Crystal, it’s a pleasure to et you all," Rosemary greeted them politely.
"Is that Rose? She’s so pretty!" Celeste Temple scanned Rosemary from head to toe, clearly pleased with what she saw. "I wonder which lucky boy will end up with her."
"Isn’t she supposed to marry into the McMillian family? She and Roo would make a perfect couple. Not bad." Alger nodded in approval.
"Rose, you’re even prettier than Starmoon, the girl who broke the internet on Facebook a while ago. I’m so happy to et you. I’m a friend of your brother, Clark."
’So this Crystal was here for Clark?’
"Alger, Celeste, long ti no see." Clark gave Crystal a brief look. "Made it, huh?"
"I didn’t know you were so protective of your sister." Crystal’s smile was radiant. "Heard you took her out?"
"I just went along for the ride, really. Played the role of the third wheel."
"It’s been a while, but Clark, you’ve beco even more handso."
Celeste’s eyes twinkled with amusent. "I bet there are many girls chasing after you."
"I’m usually busy with work," was all Clark could say.
"Crystal has also been busy with her studies. Now that she’s graduated, she wants to return ho to help run our business. Since she’s our only daughter, Alger and I plan to groom her to be our successor."
The mont Clark heard that, he realized the implication was that she intended to stay in the States for an extended period.
"Clark, it’s been a while since Crystal visited us. Why don’t you show her around our garden? We’ve planted a variety of new flowers lately. Maybe Crystal will find a few varieties she likes and can take so back to cultivate."
Clark could only respond, "I promised my sister, Rose, that I would take a walk with her, right, Rose?"
Rosemary was speechless.
’Since when?’
Clark’s pleading gaze fell upon Rosemary.
Louisa was half-skeptical, "Didn’t you just finish walking with your sister?"
"No worries, I can accompany Rose for a walk too," Crystal chid in, causing Clark to pause in surprise.
"Well, then you guys should get going. I’ll have the staff turn on the garden lights," Louisa urged.
With a radiant smile, Crystal linked arms with Rosemary. "Rose, I heard you just moved back. How are you adjusting?"
Rosemary nodded, taken aback by Crystal’s warm deanor. "It’s been fine."
"I heard you used to live in Sumrfield, too. It’s been ages since my last visit. Maybe we could go shopping together soti?"
"Rose is quite busy," Clark ca to her aid. "Between school, other commitnts, and a fiancé who needs her attention."
"What about you then?" Crystal looked up at him, hopeful.
"I’m rather busy myself."
"Well, we can always plan a date once you’re both free," Crystal maintained her hold on Rosemary’s hand, grinning. "We can go shopping and try out so delicious local food."
"Sure," Rosemary agreed just as her phone began to vibrate. "Excuse , I need to take this call."
Clark wanted to tell her not to answer it, but seeing that the caller was Roo, he could only plead with his eyes for her to return as soon as possible after the call.
Rosemary found the whole situation amusing. ’Was Clark intentionally avoiding Crystal? Was he not interested in her?’
"So Clark, what have you been up to lately?" Crystal took the initiative again. "I heard there have been fewer criminal cases recently."
"I’ve been spending ti with my sister."
"I understand young girls quite well. Next ti you two go out, you can invite along. I promise to make sure Rose has a great ti."
"You really plan to return and settle down here?" Clark asked again.
"Yes, this place is my ho. I was always planning to return."
Clark didn’t know what to say to her.
As he was in deep thought, Crystal asked again, "Do you guys have any plans for tomorrow?"
"Not sure yet."
"What does Rose like?" Crystal continued to inquire. "Are there any places she’s been wanting to visit? Or anything she’s particularly interested in?"
Clark was stumped by the sudden barrage of questions.
"Don’t tell you don’t even know what your sister likes?"
In Clark’s mory, the only thing that genuinely piqued Rose’s interest was Roo. Only when Roo’s na was ntioned did her eyes light up. No one else or anything else could stir a ripple in her heart.
"It seems like you don’t know much. I’ll ask her myself later on."
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