The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188

The entire wall was made of floor–to–ceiling windows, and outside was a small courtyard with an old bow ca wicker chairs. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden spots all over the ground

The place was decorated in natural wood tones, with a few watercolor paintings on the walls showing Cheer through the seasons.

Inside, it was calm and quiet, and most of the visitors were stylish girls snapping photos.

Rosie glanced around as soon as she walked in, her gaze sweeping the place like a radar.

Then her eyes suddenly lit up, but she quickly looked away, trying to act casual as she dragged Natalie over to a sear window.

Natalie followed her gaze and spotted a tall guy behind the bar in a white apron, bent over cutting frunt, with sharp dean features and pale skin.

Natalie looked away and glanced at Rosie.

Rosie sneaked another peek, but the guy suddenly looked over. He was just taking an order from the next table. Rosie panicked and quickly looked away, pretending to study the menu.

“You’re holding the menu upside down.” Natalie said.

Rosie fumbled to flip the menu over, her face flushed from her neck all the way to her ears.

“Uh, I just think this little flower on the menu is really pretty, haha,” Rosie mumbled, trying to play it cool.

Natalie just let it slide and took a sip of her water.

The water was warm, with a slice of lemon, just the right amount of tang to wake you up.

Rosie handed the menu to Natalie. “Everything here is delicious. Take a look and see what you want.”

Natalie didn’t take it. “You can just order for me.”

Rosie nodded, and just then, the guy came over from the next table. “Hi, what would you like to order”

He looked up and paused when he saw Rosie. “Wait, Rosie? You’re here too?”

Rosie pretended to be surprised. “Oh? It’s you, Eamon. What a coincidence! Are you working here part–time

Eamon nodded, pulled out his order pad from his apron pocket, flipped to anew page, and waited for Rosie to name her dishes.

His attitude was totally normal, not too friendly, not too cold, just the usual vibe when you run into a classmate while working at a restaurant.

He was just doing his job, chatting a bit, and kept his face totally neutral

Rosie’s excitement from earlier fizzled out.

She opened her mouth to say something, but when she met Eamon’s calm, unreadable eyes, the words died in her throat.

She looked down at the menu and ordered a few dishes, her voice softer than before.

“That’s all. Thanks, Eamon,” Rosie said.

08:01 Wed, Jun 10

Jamon finished writing down the order double checked in and sand Please wait a the kitchen

Rosie just blinked as she watched him walk away, saying nothing

Natalie glanced at her but didn’t say anything Just then. Blonde sent her a few messages

Blondie Talia where are you guys‘]

[I came to Causeway Bay, but no one’s here]

Natalie [Why are you there?]

Blondie (It’s been ages since we’ve hung out and had fun together. You guys are impossible to reart, you name we could grab a meal.]

He was squatting by the door, looking all sad.

Blondie had only seen Natalie once since the semester started. Every time he tried to get her to hang out shed just was busy.

Blondie: [Boohoo-]

Natalie: [We’re out having lunch.]

In the afternoon, all the school clubs were holding their recruitment fair.

Rosie dragged Natalie over to check it out. “Are you interested in any of these clubs?”

Natalie shook her head. “Nope.”

Rosie nodded. “Oh, what’s going on up ahead? There are so many people.”

Up ahead, there was a huge crowd, packed tight; the screaming and music all mashed together, rattling your eardrums

Rosie stood on her tiptoes, trying to see, but she couldn’t make out anything

A girl walked by with a flyer, noticed Rosie standing on her tiptoes, and paused to let her know. It’s the basketball team’s cheerleading squad holding tryouts.

“They’re picking new members. Word is, they’re being super picky this year.

Rosie dragged Natale into the crowd.

Natalie was pulled along, expressionless, through layer after layer of people

She was tall and had that cool, distant vibe, so people instinctively stepped aside when they saw her

And when they realized it was the new campus queen, they opened up an even wider path for her without thinking

When Rosie finally managed to squeeze to the front of the crowd, she instantly spotted Eamon sitting at the back

He was wearing a white basketball jersey, the neckline a bit loose, his collarbone casually on display

He was busy registering students for the basketball club.

She stared his way for a couple seconds, and couldn’t help but smile. ‘He’s part of the basketball club?‘ she wondered.

08:01 Wed, Jun 10

Chapter 188

Mfter watching for a couple of seconds, Rosie suddenly turned to the cheer squad caps

“Hey, I want to try out,” Rosie said.

She didn’t speak loudly, but you could hear the determination in her voice

The girl running the tryouts looked up at Rosie.

She wore the cheer squad uniform, with a “Vice Captain” badge pinned to her chest. She was tall and limite looked like you could easily wrap a hand around it.

Her eyes moved from Rosie’s face to her waist, then down to her legs, before returning to her face

She gave a practiced smile. “Have you ever danced before?”

“Yeah, I did ballet for eight years when I was little.”

Rosie spoke with a hint of anticipation in her voice, her dimples peeking out, making her look exira adorable

The vice captain nodded, then gave Rosie another once–over, sizing her up like she was checking if she measured up

She flipped through the signup sheet, her tone calm and matter–of–fact. “Our training is pretty tough, and we have strict requirements for fitness and weight.

“Honestly, with your current body, you might not be suitable.”

When she said “body,” her eyes paused on Rosie’s waist for a split second before darting away, almost like she didnt want anyone to notice.

But Rosie noticed every bit of it. She caught the whole thing, crystal clear.

A few of the cheerleaders nearby checked Rosie out from head to toe, then shot each other knowing looks.

No one said a word, but those silent glances stung more than anything they could’ve said.

Rosie stood there, her smile fading, the spark in her eyes gone. She felt exposed and painfully awkward.

She stood there empty–handed, not even a signup sheet to hold onto.

Natalie stood beside her, frowning.

She glanced at Rosie. Rosie’s eyes were already red, but she was biting her lip, trying her hardest not to cry Her fingers twisted the hem of her shirt so tightly that her knuckles had gone white.

Rosie turned her head and mumbled, “Come on, Natalie, let’s go look at something else

Natalie looked down at Rosie, placed a hand gently on her back, then stepped forward

“Are you picking new cheerleaders based on body or dance skills?” Natalie asked calmly

She looked straight at the girl in charge, her voice calm.

The girl in charge faltered the moment their eyes met, her confidence shrinking a bit

“Of course we care about dance skills, but this girl is obviously a bit chubby. No matter how well she dances, she just lacks that aesthetic appeal,” the girl said.

Chapter 189