Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 849
"So, what about you?"
"Heh... I've got my eye on the younger Rodriguez daughter! Word is, she's gorgeous, amazing figure, and-most importantly-her
grandparents adore her. If I could catch her attention, I'd save myself at least ten years of hard work!"
"Dream on, man. That's the Rodriguez family we're talking about! You? You don't even have an invitation. Stop daydreaming."
"If I'm not worthy, are you?"
"As a matter of fact, I am."
...
Cliff drained the last of his wine, set the glass down, and let his gaze linger on the gold-embossed invitation lying on the coffee
table.
"The Rodriguez family sure knows how to put on a show... Let's see what fireworks they have in store."
This time, the Cliffords, the Sherwoods, and the Gibsons were all invited.
Cliff, Murray, and York hadn't been all that interested at first. But lately, rumors about the Rodriguez family had been spreading
like wildfire each more outrageous than the last.
Some said Ms. Aberdeen had gone missing and was sold off to some remote village, married off against her will, only to be cast

out later for giving birth to a daughter. Others swore Ms. Aberdeen was as beautiful as an angel, and that her daughter was just
as stunning-though, apparently, a little slow in the head.
The rumors kept swirling, but not a single photo ever surfaced.
Of course, the more mysterious things became, the more everyone wanted to know.
Cliff couldn't help but get curious. "If I'm right, the birthday gala's tomorrow. You two going?"
Murray said, "Depends."
York shrugged. “Not sure."

"Seriously, what's up with you guys? Did you turn into monks or something? No fun, no curiosity?"
York spread his hands and grinned. "Hey, I've got a girlfriend now. I'll leave you two bachelors to make fools of yourselves-
especially you, Cliff. Try not to get your hopes up."
"Aren't we supposed to be playing cards? Are you in or not?" Murray cut in, sounding impatient.
Truth was nothing interested Murray these days except Roseanne. The only reason he'd even show up at Neely's birthday
tomorrow was out of obligation-a quick appearance, then gone.
Cliff straightened up. "Deal me in. What are we betting?"
"You tell us."
Before Cliff could answer, York
chimed in with a sly smile, "Losen et

has to go ask the Rodriguez
aver:
granddaughter for her number at the gala tomorrow. How about that?”
Cliff and Murray exchanged glances.
Cliff arched an eyebrow. "I'm game. Up to you, Murray."
Murray couldn't have cared less. "Fine by me."
The next day, the birthday gala was in full swing, drawing the city's most prominent guests.
Roseanne wore a pale blue, strapless evening gown with a cutout at the waist, accentuating her slender figure.
Madge looked every bit the part of a matriarch in an elegant dress, her hair pinned up neatly at the back, poised and graceful.
As for Norris-

There was no way the old lady would have forgotten him. A week earlier, she'd hired a team of tailors to custom-fit a suit just for
him.
Today, dressed to the nines with a perfectly knotted tie, Norris looked every inch the refined gentleman.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Madge, they were the picture of sophistication.
"Is everyone ready?” The elderly couple entered the room, pausing when they saw their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter
together-each one striking in their own right.
For a moment, the grandparents were speechless, a wave of pride and a tinge
of regret washing over them.
After all these years, they had missed so much of their daughter's life...
But today, they would make things right. Today, they'd finally give her the place in
the family she deserved-along with her husband and daughter.