Chapter 357

Howard led Rosie to the restroom, saying gently, "I'll close the door and wait outside. If you feel uneasy, you can lock it."

"Okay," Rosie nodded. Since he had held her earlier, she felt a little embarrassed, and his words made her cheeks burn even more. "Th-thank you."

"Not at all," Howard replied, turning and leaving, closing the door behind him.

Rosie took her time inside. Once she finished, she turned on the faucet to wash her hands when, suddenly, her phone erupted from her pocket. In the quiet of the night, the ringtone was startlingly loud. It was a call, though she had changed her SIM card after entering the nursing home to keep Daniel from finding her. Ever since she arrived, her phone rang rarely; besides Sienna, few people would bother to call.

"Could it be Sienna?" She fumbled to answer. "Hello…"

"Rosie," Daniel's voice cut through the line. "I finally managed to reach you!"

A jolt went through Rosie, draining the color from her face. "Y-you."

Daniel's voice dripped with mockery. "You've got yourself a sugar daddy and hidden away in a nursing home? You even changed your phone number. What a bitch!"

"N-no, that's not true," Rosie stammered, her face paling as her body shook. "Don't say such things!"

Daniel's words were scornful. "Last time, I nearly caught you in bed! Rosie, once I find you, the whole world will know what a bitch you are. You'll be completely humiliated! You've felt that shame before! Ready for another round? Ha!"

In a panic, Rosie threw her phone and ran to the door. "Rosie?" Howard heard her cry from the other side. "Rosie, what's wrong?" Worried she might have hurt herself, he twisted the doorknob and opened the door.

Before he could react, Rosie charged towards him, her eyes wide with fear. "Rosie!" Howard frowned and reached out, catching her and pulling her into his embrace, cradling the back of her head.

Rosie's eyes were wide, and her body shook as she murmured, "It's him, it's him…"

Howard's brow furrowed. "Your husband?"

Rosie nodded quickly, fear evident in her voice. "He said he wouldn't let me go! He called me a bitch. He said he would come for me!"

Her wide eyes stared blankly as tears fell silently.

"Rosie," Howard held her face, looking deeply into her eyes. "Don't be afraid! You are safe here! He cannot come in! No one can hurt you!" Rosie looked unconvinced, her teeth chattering slightly. "Is…is that true?"

"It is," Howard's voice was low but comforting, filled with strength. "Trust me. It's just you and me here. Today is your birthday; we are here to celebrate."

Gradually, Rosie calmed down, the tears still wet on her cheeks. In her anxiety, she didn't notice that Howard still held her hand, instinctively gripping his.

Seeing her unsteady, Howard guided her to sit down, then thought for a moment before pouring her a glass of whiskey. Compared to red wine, whiskey would help her calm down faster. He handed her the glass, saying, "Here, take a sip; you might feel better."

"Oh, okay," Rosie, accepting the drink, nodded hesitantly. She held the glass and took a cautious sip. The strong taste made her wrinkle her nose. "It's so…"

"Hmm," Howard nodded. "It's a bit stronger than red wine." Worried she might not like it, he added, "If you don't like it, don't force yourself."

"It's fine," Rosie shook her head, not letting go of the glass. "I can manage." After a couple of sips, she noticed her shaking had lessened.

Seeing her improvement, Howard encouraged, "Then have another sip, but don't push yourself if you don't want to." He thought, since Rosie had grown up drinking red wine, she should be able to handle whiskey.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Hervey. "Sit tight for a moment; I'll take this call," Howard said, stepping aside to answer.

Hervey discussed a few matters with him, and after a series of questions, Howard made a decision. "Let's proceed as planned." He hung up and returned to find Rosie sitting on the sofa, her head drooping, looking like she might be asleep.

"Rosie?" Howard was surprised as he crouched down before her, gently patting her shoulder. "Are you asleep?"

Still, there was no answer. "Shall I help you? Should I pick you up?" Howard raised an eyebrow, reaching out to lift her. But as soon as he touched her, Rosie suddenly opened her eyes.

She couldn't see him, but Howard's heart raced, and his gaze flickered uneasily. "You're not asleep?"

In an instant, Rosie smiled widely at him. "Of course not! When did I say I was asleep? It's my birthday; I haven't even lit the candles or sung the birthday song! How could I possibly sleep?"

There was something off about her. Her expression was hazy; she was clearly drunk. Howard smiled softly. "Rosie, you're drunk."

"You're the one who's drunk!" Rosie playfully shot back, pouting in displeasure. "I'm perfectly fine; how could I be drunk!" With that, she wriggled out of Howard's hold. "You don't believe me? Watch me walk a straight line!"

"Rosie," Howard began, but Rosie had already climbed onto the sofa. Howard watched, wondering how she ended up on the sofa after saying she would walk a straight line.

"Yah!" Rosie bounced on the sofa, cheering as she clapped her hands. "Look! Am I walking straight or not?"

Howard was completely confused. So this was how Rosie acted when she was drunk—quite unexpected. She was this intoxicated from just one glass of whiskey. Maybe it was the combination of red wine and whiskey that did it.

Howard shook his head helplessly, reaching out toward Rosie, soothing her gently. "Don't jump around; come down. Be careful not to fall."

"Tell me! Am I walking straight?" Rosie insisted, refusing to stop until she got an answer.

"You are," Unable to hold back his laughter, Howard nodded repeatedly. Whatever she said, he would go along with it.

"I told you I'm not drunk."

"Rosie," Howard swallowed hard, lifting his hand to cradle her flushed cheeks, slightly rosy from the alcohol. His fingertips brushed gently against her lips.