CHAPTER 852: CHAPTER 851

Romeo nodded, "Yeah, me, him, and a bunch of other guys grew up together."

Because as they grew older, they each started their businesses or took over the family companies, they were always jet-setting around the world, and hardly ever had time to gather.

"What favor did he do for you?"

In Romeo’s mind, Timothy wasn’t the type to poke his nose into other people’s affairs, or go out of his way to help.

Yesterday, in the presidential suite, he hadn’t asked too much, only knew that his Rose was meeting someone today over coffee. As for who this person was, or what favor they’d done, he was clueless.

"I had run into a bit of trouble, and both times he stood up for me," Rosemary explained succinctly.

"Me—Timothy—always had a soft spot. I can’t help playing the knight whenever I see someone in need. Well, I’m a bit thirsty, let me grab a coffee."

"Didn’t you still have half of iced coffee left?" Rome found Timothy was distracted, his mood a bit off.

With a laugh, Timothy responded, "It’s too cold, I’m gonna get a hot one."

He was about to walk away when Romeo offered, "I’ve got a hot coffee right here."

He had several cups on his tray, all different flavors he’d ordered for Rosemary to try.

"That’s for your fiancée. I’ll get my own, you guys enjoy," Timothy replied, quickly excusing himself from the situation.

Perhaps he couldn’t bear the idea that the girl he’d liked for so long was his buddy’s bride-to-be. His heart was shattered, and the brutal reality hit him like a slap in the face.

Rosemary’s questioning gaze fell on Romeo, as if to ask: What’s up with your friend? Is he upset?

"Don’t worry about him."

Romeo placed the remaining cups of coffee in front of Rosemary, "These are the café’s latest blends. Try them and see which one you like best?"

He also laid out an assortment of delicate pastries in front of her, all for her to choose.

"They say these sweets are their bestsellers," Romeo offered her a small spoonful, "How’s the taste?"

"A bit sweet."

"Then try this one." Romeo scooped up another cake, delicately feeding it to her.

Timothy, who had just ordered his coffee and was witnessing this scene, felt an overwhelming urge to cry.

Already devastated, reality continued its merciless assault, aiming to give him a final blow.

He was heartbroken!

The girl full of compassion, who rescued children trapped in cages, and who has the impressive agility and superior driving skills, was not just his best friend’s fiancée, but she and his friend were also

"sickeningly sweet" together.

He hadn’t even wooed her yet, and he’d already lost her for good.

In his twenty-two years of life, he’d finally met someone special.

And he had thought, even if she had a boyfriend, that guy couldn’t possibly be as great as him; he was confident he could win her over.

After ordering his coffee, he didn’t know how he managed to carry his heavy heart towards them, sit opposite, and watch their affectionate interactions.

He took a few sips of the coffee, finding it tasteless, then stood up again, "I’m gonna check if Derrick has arrived."

Rosemary gave Romeo another look. This time, Romeo said, "I’ll go check on him."

He got up and approached Timothy, who was still consumed by his mixed emotions.

"What’s up?"

As Romeo closed the distance, he could see the emotions Timothy struggled to hide in his eyes—a storm of unshed sorrow and disillusionment.

Suddenly, what Timothy confessed to him earlier flooded Romeo.

Timothy had said before, that the girl had the voice of an angel, a name as melodious as her voice,strikingly beauty, and can handle a car like she was born to race.

Could he be talking about his fiancée?

Except for his fiancée, in his twenty-something years of life, he couldn’t recall meeting another girl who was so stunning. Every single trait Timothy mentioned matched his fiancée to the letter.

So, he’s got the hots for Rose?

Was it the surprise and unconcealed disappointment in Timothy’s face that gave it away? Because he knew that Rose was his fiancée?

No wonder Timothy had downed half a cup of iced coffee earlier to calm his nerves after finding out who Rose was.

"How long have you been eyeing my fiancée?" Romeo suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked, "Trying to make a move on my girl, huh?"

"What are you talking about?" Timothy was caught off-guard by his sharp observation and forced a laugh, "I mean, sure, she is stunning, one of a kind, and drives like a pro."

"How do you know about her driving skills?" Romeo zeroed in on that detail with a dangerous glint in his eye, "You’ve seen her drive?"

"I, uh, I just chanced upon a car race that day. Some poor loser couldn’t beat her and started accusing her car of being rigged. I just spoke up for her, that’s all."

"So, you fell for her right then and there?" Romeo asked, a realization dawning on him.

He didn’t even know his little firecracker was racing.

She kept it a secret from him.

It must have been too dangerous; otherwise, she would have told him.

With these thoughts, his gaze drifted past the floor-to-ceiling window, fixing on the girl inside.

Rosemary was still unaware of the significance of that gaze.

A thought crossed Romeo’s mind: "Making moves while I’m away on business, she’s definitely in for a bit of ’punishment.’ "

"What kind of race was it?" he asked again.

"Not any official event, just some underground racing. She was racing for Light Fleet."

So, his fiancée was a professional race car driver?

"Light Fleet had her on board for a while?" Romeo pressed further.

"No, it seems she’s new. I heard that their team captain, Ophelia Almond, had injured her foot."

"Ophelia?"

Romeo remembered. That night when he called Rose, she mentioned visiting a friend who had hurt her foot. Later, when they video called, her friend Ophelia also made an appearance.

So, her friend was the captain of Light Fleet?

Rose stepped in for her injured friend?

The rest of the Light Fleet didn’t step up, they let his Rose take the wheel; that alone speaks volumes about her capabilities.

"Was the race dangerous?" Romeo continued to ask.

"It wouldn’t be quite right to call the race dangerous. After all, there was a huge gap in their skills; but your fiancée was nothing short of remarkable. She appeared out of nowhere and won two races back-to-back. If only you had seen her commanding performance."

Upon finishing his words, Timothy realized he was revealing too much and sealed his lips.

Romeo watched him with a veiled threat in his eyes, "So that’s the moment you fell for her?"

That night, before the video call with Rose, Timothy did indeed call him to say he fancied a girl who was amazing behind the wheel, and shared his own passion.

Could it have been his fiancée all along?

"You fancy Rose? She agreed to meet you for coffee today?"