Chapter 157

Matteo was fine, but Kaleb had never liked Roseanne. He made no effort to conceal his disdain, especially after the car accident earlier that afternoon. Seeing Matteo had brought Roseanne, Kaleb naturally resented him as well.

Matteo, not foolish, sensed this immediately. He awkwardly touched his nose and explained, “I invited Sean out for fun. Sean mentioned you were drinking here. Since Roseanne was at my place, she came along.” While explaining, Matteo subtly glanced at Julian, who hadn't even looked their way, hoping to help Roseanne connect with the group. He continued, “Since Roseanne went to Avaloria, we haven’t all been together. It’s a good chance to catch up.” He even pulled Roseanne closer.

Kaleb remained silent, clearly unhappy. Sean, remembering belittling Roseanne in the group chat the other day, felt embarrassed and was unenthusiastic.

Julian, however, seemed oblivious, never setting down his drink. Roseanne, still upset with Kaleb, wasn't going to ingratiate herself. She hadn't confronted Sean for his mockery, so she gave him the cold shoulder. Her sole purpose was to see Julian; the others didn't matter.

Seeing Julian wasn't even looking at her, Roseanne felt annoyed and walked to him, speaking softly, “Julian, you left so abruptly this afternoon. We didn’t get a chance to catch up. Let’s have a drink.”

Julian, already irritated by Rosalie's attitude, found Roseanne even more annoying. He didn't know how the rumor about Rosalie being a stand-in started, but Roseanne's presence only increased his frustration. Ignoring her, Julian looked at Matteo. His alcohol-tinged voice, slightly hoarse, was stern. “You brought her here without my permission. Are you trying to make decisions for me?”

Matteo, who had grown up near Julian and shared a brotherly bond (though not as close as the Perry brothers), felt publicly humiliated. Julian's words clearly embarrassed Roseanne, angering Matteo further. ‘Is he blaming me, saying he didn’t welcome Roseanne?’ Matteo wondered. “Julian, what do you mean?” Matteo's face darkened. “Roseanne is your girlfriend. What’s the problem with me bringing her?”

Julian's heart raced with irritation whenever someone mentioned him and Roseanne. His cold gaze fell on Matteo. “If I remember correctly, she broke up with me a long time ago.” His words were incredibly casual, as if the ex-girlfriend label meant nothing. After all, he hadn't treated Roseanne like a girlfriend while they were together.