After listening to Rosalynn's words, Rose lowered her eyelids, a contemplative expression painted across her face.

Rosalynn wasn't sure if Rose had fully grasped the implications of her words, but this was Rose's one and only shot-a chance given rather reluctantly, and only out of consideration for Betsy. The New Year's Eve was buzzing with excitement.

The residents of Moonlit Lake were treated to a spectacular fireworks display, and it was Cory and Ivy's absolute favorite.

Despite nodding off constantly, they managed to stay awake until midnight to watch the fireworks, only to fall asleep instantly-one in Rosalynn's arms and the other in Jaime Jules'.

Back at the house, after tucking the little ones into bed, Rosalynn came downstairs to replace Rose comfortably settled in the guest room.d2

Jacob had brought up a bottle of ice wine from the cellar and was now sitting alone in the living room, which was lit by a single floor lamp, sipping his drink.

Rosalynn approached him.

Jacob filled an empty glass halfway and pushed it toward Rosalynn.

"Jacob, you're not exactly young anymore. Drinking like this and staying up late-you might die early." Rosalynn said as she sat down.

Jacob chuckled, "What's there to be afraid of? ...But seriously, what's up with you?"

Rosalynn swirled the wine in her glass-it wasn't her favorite; clearly something Jacob had sneaked in earlier.

"What do you mean?" she inquired.

"Why would you bring your secretary home?" Jacob asked.

Rosalynn looked at him, "Can't I?"

"Since our last meeting, I've taken the liberty to dig into Miss Betsy's background a bit. Have you heard about your secretary's mother, Yvette Albinia?"

"Don't beat around the bush, just tell me," Rosalynn urged.

Jacob lowered his voice, "It took some time, but I found one of her old flames." He paused, "That guy has nothing good to say about Yvette Albinia. His words..." Jacob hesitated.

"That control freak lunatic?" Those were the precise words the man had used.

Even after decades, the man, now balding and middle-aged, was visibly shaken at the mention of Yvette.

Upon further questioning, Yvette's ex-lover spilled the beans, recounting Yvette's behavior from years ago.

Initially, their relationship was fine. Yvette was beautiful and matured early, attracting many boys. After a few dates, he had won her over.

They were inseparable, but once the novelty wore off, Yvette's meddling became suffocating.

By chance, he met a vivacious the barmaid at a tavern, a breath of fresh air compared to Yvette's uptight and rigid demeanor.

Gradually, he distanced himself from Yvette.

One day, Yvette confronted him at the tavern's doorstep. He was irritable and ended things between them.

The ex-lover's face went pale as he recounted to Jacob, "I'll never forget the way she looked at the the barmaid behind me after I broke up with her. It was terrifying! The kind of look that gives you nightmares." The horror didn't end there. Two days later, the the barmaid drowned after getting drunk.

He was saddened, for it was the heat of a new romance, but soon the police came knocking.

The the barmaid was with him before her drowning. Her death, they said, had peculiar circumstances, which prevented them from ruling it as an accidental drowning.

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