When Penn heard that Rose was back in town, he bolted out of theb like a bat out of hell and made a beeline for her ce.


    Rose lived right next door to the Penn family home.


    As he arrived, he saw a real estate agent stepping out of Rose''s house with a few potential buyers in tow.Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Dr. Lange," the agent greeted Penn warmly.b2


    Penn nodded politely in return, then asked Rose, "What''s the deal with the realtor?"


    "I can''te back to live here, so I''m selling the ce," Rose replied.


    Penn was shocked, thinking Rose was just being dramatic. "Rose, Ms. Jared won''t keep you in H Country forever. Once Wayne gets better and heads home, she''ll let youe back."


    Rose looked at Penn, her expression devoid of its usual defiance, noticeably more mature, "Penn, my time with Ms. Jared has really changed me."


    Penn looked gobsmacked.


    Rose waved goodbye to the departing agent, then turned back to Penn. "I''ve always been protected. First by mom, then Natalie, and then you. I was like a vine, always clinging to someone else. But these past few months in H Country, I felt truly independent for the first time. Ms. Jared and I have agreed that I''ll stay on at Bane Corporation to work and find my own worth."


    "Are you sure about this?" Penn recovered from his initial shock, his eyes brimming with pride as he looked at Rose.


    "Yeah," Rose took a deep breath, the icy winter air biting at her lungs.


    "That''s fantastic!" Penn beamed. "Our little Rose has finally grown up. Come on, let''s grab some grub to celebrate! And don''t worry about being in H Country. Once my research is done, I''lle visit often. If anyone there gives you trouble, I''ll be there in a heartbeat to back you up!"


    "And what if the one giving me trouble is Ms. Jared?" Rose teased, batting her eyshes at Penn.


    Penn was reminded of the harsh words Rose had hurled at him on the street that day.


    "Rose, I do admire Ms. Jared, but not in the way you think," Penn said earnestly. "She stood out to me because I saw her move in Wayne''s direction. I thought she''d be like all the others, but she exceeded all my expectations and earned my respect."


    "She is impressive," Rose agreed, nodding. "To rise above so many men."


    "So, what do you fancy eating? Name it, and we''ll go!"


    "No, thanks," Rose shook her head. "Ms. Jared only gave me a short break. I need to pay respects to mom and then head back."


    "Then I''ll join you at the cemetery!" Penn offered.


    But Rose was clearly distant. "Penn, did you just dash out from theb? Look, your research is way more important than lunch or hanging out right now," Rose said, cing her hands on Penn''s shoulders and steering him towards the door. "You better get back to theb!"


    Penn looked back at Rose, asking again, "Are you sure you don''t want me to stay?"


    Rose shook her head.


    Penn pulled out his phone and sent Rose some money, saying, "Get some flowers and offerings for the gravesite."


    Rose nced at the amount Penn had sent. It was more than enough for any kind of flowers here.


    "Use the rest for some duty-free shopping on your way back. I didn''t get you a Christmas gift this year, so treat yourself to a nice bag or something you like." "Thanks, Penn," Rose nodded.


    Without lingering any longer, Penn waved goodbye and rode off on his bike.


    Rose watched him go, then looked at the amount on her phone. Without blinking, she opened a charity app and donated every penny Penn had given her. Then, as if on cue, a snowy wind began to sweep through Munich.