Chapter 592


    | nced over the spread of snacksid out in front of me and couldn''t help but smile. My favorites, pretzels, potato chips, anda


    variety of dips, were all there, a sure sign that Ronan had a hand in this.


    Back in our school days, the three of us would munch on these same treats.


    Hannah, ever so observant, didn''t miss a beat. She told me she''d be in the kitchen if | needed her and then she was off, leaving


    me alone with Geneva for some catch-up time.


    Turning back to our conversation, | nudged Geneva, "You could consider moving to a new ce."


    She sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice, "Why bother? It''s good enough for now. You wouldn''t believe how many times I''ve


    butted heads with Noah about this."


    "He''s not on board?”


    "Don''t get me started. I''ve been wanting to move for ages. We''ve been in that house for more than a decade, surrounded by


    those government folks. It''s suffocating. Maybe it''s just my nature to crave something new."


    Sheughed at herself then continued, "I told him we don''t need a mansion, just something a bit bigger, in a nicer location. But


    Noah won''t budge. He says we''re settled here, with neighbors who respect his government position. Why rock the boat and


    invite criticism?"


    | nodded, "Yeah, | get it. Those types are always watching, aren''t they?"


    "Exactly," Geneva said, the weight of the world seeming to press on her shoulders, "If we moved, who knows what they''d start


    saying behind our backs?"


    | couldn''t help but challenge her, "Isn''t it a shame? He devotes his life to public service and yet he can''t even try to better his


    living situation without people making a fuss about it.”Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    “Noah''s just overly cautious, always ying it safe so he doesn''t step on the wrong toes," she scoffed, "Janice had it right. To our


    faces, they call me Mrs. Atwood with a smile. But that''s not respect for me, and it''s for the bit of power Noah holds. People are so


    self-serving these days."


    | nodded in agreement. She hit the nail on the head.


    “But in private? They whisper and judge. Makes me think twice about treating myself to a nice dress," Geneva said, herugh


    tinged with irony.


    "Is it really that bad?" | asked, incredulous, "That''s too much. You have your own business, after all."


    "Trust me, they don''t see the businesswoman, only the new dress," Geneva said with a harsh dose of reality.


    "That''s gotta sting," |miserated.


    "Doesn''t it?" she said with a sardonic smile, then continued, "On the flip side, if | don’t keep up appearances, they talk about how


    shabby | look. In this neighborhood, it''s a constantpetition, husbands, kids, houses, money, anything, and everything, even


    down to who has the prettiest toenails.”


    | burst intoughter at her hyperbole, "Come on, that''s a bit much."


    “I''m not exaggerating one bit."


    | nodded solemnly, "I''ve seen it too,


    especially among women. It''s


    terrifying. | remember a saleswoman


    back at thepany. She bare!


    made any dea een& pitta ce,


    apniistillpardded around in designer


    clothes. She wasn''t fooling anyone,


    and it was clear she was living


    beyond her means. She can''t afford


    these designerbels by virtue of her


    ie, but she wears them,


    obviously from the wrong source to


    the point where everyone


    understands her vanity." Please read


    the original content at


    .


    Geneva nodded, "Exactly. Thispetitive spirit is suffocating. But in business, we have some leeway. In public service, there’s


    no such freedom."


    She leaned in and whispered, "Even if we have the money, we''re scared to spend it, to avoid gossip."


    "So what?" | countered, "Let them talk. You''ve got a sessful shop, why should you care?"


    "Thank goodness for the shop, at least," Geneva admitted, her frustration apparent, "All these years, I''ve watched others make


    money while I’ve had to hold back."


    "Noah''s a steady guy," | offered,


    throwing apliment his w. Yy He


    takes car of youcainéS)on two havea


    dod ait going. Be content with


    that, and it''s quite a blessing." Please


    read the original content at


    .


    She let out a sigh, "As time goes by,


    marriage bes more about mM


    COM) Pen UN EN arhfthing Stee.


    THpspark\st romance tends to fade,


    and when it does, we''re just left to


    navigate life side by side." Please


    read the original content at


    .


    | sensed the deeper currents in her words and pressed on, eager to explore this vein.