I have a hard time believing Gu Manxi is such a great actress when she's so naive that she's easily duped and used by the people around her... I know she probably believed them more easily because they were her "family" but her career is literally about acting and essentially analyzing people and their roles (and it's said she knows what human nature is like in showbiz) yet how is she so incapable when her entire career is based on that?? Were her only roles innocent white lotuses?? This is what I find problematic with Mary Sue characters smh 🤦‍♀️ Also the ages of everyone in this novel is so unbelievable and haphazardly thrown around (e.g. Gu Manxi is 24 now so she must have been 19 when she gave birth, 18 when she was pregnant AND have been at the peak of her career at 18 after working as an actress; the doctor is only 27 which is ridiculous because after completing undergrad he would've had to do 4 years of med school and 3-7 years of residency so unless he skipped a ton of grades he should still be in his second year of residency, which is a far way off from creating his own private practice). I know I shouldn't expect much from these novels but it definitely irks me when everything's so unrealistic/illogical 🙄

Yeah I personally would love it if Maria did know (and accept) all that goes on because it adds a lot more depth to her character when she seems so stereotypically "good" shoujo/shounen (i.e. knowing dark methods have to be used sometimes, even if it's not necessarily "right"). I guess it just makes it really interesting to consider that even Maria is someone who's capable and willing to literally and figuratively get her hands dirty for her family even if she seems like such a "virtuous" character.

Yeah for sure thanks for taking the time to respond to my question! And yeah I guess I still wanted to give Freddy the benefit of the doubt despite it all, but yeah I think a lot of it does come from the fact that his standards for proper child rearing/educating is so far off from the modern standards we have today but def make sense when considering his circumstances/time period. Just makes it sad though because through everything it would've all been bearable if he had simply COMMUNICATED with Rosa about why it had to go on. Seriously I think UT just really teaches you the vital importance of communication lol

I agree with you it is technically Rosa's duty to act this way to be a "proper" heir apparent of the Ventrella family and it's probably the reason why she first had this confidence (i.e. fake it till you make it motto) as a noble woman. But even when Rosa "abandons" her duty to her family (whether as OG Rosa in an AU, Meng, or Rosa in this life), I think she still conducts herself this way because of her pride (i.e. dignity). Because even when her family leaves/abandons her, even when she no longer has to live for duty, Rosa always retains her pride through it all. Maybe it's not the smartest/best thing, but it's what makes her so endearing/charming because despite all the insecurities/hurt/loss she has had to face, Rosa never gave up on this pride/dignity in herself. Idk I just find this aspect of Rosa really endearing (it simultaneously gives me ow ow *punch to the heart* vibes yet also makes me admire her too).

Thanks so much for this chapter CC 🙏 The pickling process def made it that much better so please don't ever feel like you have to rush/second-guess your amazing writing abilities 💕But woooh was not expecting to feel as much as I did this chapter (I didn't think you could up the emotional rollercoaster ride for a chapter but you proved me wrong CC). Idk this was an interesting chapter because while it wasn't as dark/heavy/tragic as other chapters, it just made me so much more emotionally invested as Rosa really and truly vented her feelings and true thoughts to those around her. This chapter really felt like a culmination of everything, like finally reaching the first peak on a rollercoaster before the free fall, that it just got me feeling so many feelings 😭 I will say though that I'm actually glad Georgie accidentally got caught up in the magic portal with Amar so Amar wouldn't have had to go to his "apprenticeship" alone. Because with Amar's suicidal tendencies, Georgie's mother hen care and blessed common sense is much needed to take care of him especially in a Bicchieri environment. As for Freddy... I'm holding off on him for now (I feel like I was more mad at Freddy last chapter than this chapter surprisingly) simply because there's def a lot going on in the background (I find Mama Maria's absence suspicious as well so I'm wondering if they're together). Or maybe it's just because I already feel a little bad for him knowing he'll have hell to pay for what he's done to the kids who knows. But def in contrast to Freddy big shoutout to Ron this chapter, and even Alfonso and Jean our tall dark and handsome, for realizing it wasn't right for the trio to be separated like this without any warning/preparation. As a side note though I just came to really appreciate Cosimo's appearance in this chapter. The fact that he went along with everything and even joined Rosa at the bottom of the trap, even if may have partially just been due to it being fun, shows that he does care more than he lets on (ugh this kuudere). I would love a POV from him, especially what he thinks of this crazy Ventrella household and his scarred crybaby cousin. I literally spam commented so much on every sentence of this chapter but urgh I'm still not over this adrenaline-rush like plethora of emotions. This chapter was too good CC I can't get over it😭

The reason why I find this so heart-wrenching is because Rosa actually speaks like a kid here. She fully lets go of all the niceties and emotional baggage she's had all this time and allows herself to be the scarred four-year-old girl that she is.

Wow what a chapter to appreciate Ron. The first adult to apologize to Rosa, to readily admit they didn't consider her feelings when making their decisions. But Rosa's right, this wasn't on Gramps as much as it was on Freddy (ooh this is going to be a crazy confrontation)

😭😭 Cause honestly Alfonso was the only who truly cared for Rosa day-to-day. Probably the only one who really knew her and understood her the most out of everyone in the OG life.

Aww I kinda missed PAC 😂😂 But also same Rosa same

I love these tidbits about Cosimo's interactions/dealing with the crazy Ventrella family

😭😭

Yes go tell 'em Rosa!!!

The trio all care for each other, even if they technically can't afford to in their own circumstances, and that's what makes their friendship so lovely and beautiful 😭💕

I'm glad Lukas also knows Gable's is his. Urgh I just hope the trio know they have so many people who are "theirs," even themselves for each other, and know how loved they are 💕

😂😂

Curious about if Maria has truly witnessed these sides of Alfonso (I know she does know and accept Freddy for who he is and all that he does but just how involved is she in all this really and in turn Ron).

Yes he's yours Rosa ❤️ I'm so glad that despite the heartache and hurt from the last chapter, Rosa still recognizes that Georgie's loyalties will always be with her, even if his duty is to the Ventrella family. Urgh thank goodness she knows she has someone that's hers, someone who'll always prioritize her, when she's always considered it a given that her loved ones are never "hers."

This is something I too have questioned... Did Freddy truly not know, or did he just not now the extent of it? Because if he truly didn't know, it must mean Alfonso decided it wasn't important/pertinent to mention whether as a means to toughen up Rosa using Bicchierri methods and/or to not distract Freddy who was super busy... And if he truly didn't know how much did the guards also have a hand in it and how much (i.e. abuse) did they perhaps intentionally not report?