Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"That's a relief," Leda sighed, her tension visibly melting away. "Hey, are you free tonight? I could use your help."

After a successful meeting with the school board, Hertha's mood visibly brightened, contrasting her frustration from her recent encounter with Madeleine. "Let's go, Mom. Time to hit the road."

Her mom Beverley frowned, her gaze drifting away from the direction of the library. "You go ahead. I've got something else to deal with."

Beverley dialed her phone without another word, arranging for another family driver to fetch her.

Hertha figured her mom was just heading to another fancy lunch and didn't think much of it. Little did she know, as soon as Beverley got in the car, she ordered, "Drive to Murray's office."

Just ending a meeting, Murray was surprised to see his mother storming in with a scowl. "Mom, what brings you here?"

Beverley scoffed, "What, I can't visit?"

"It's not that," he said, touching his nose nervously.

Beverley huffed and plopped onto a sofa. "If you can't handle your woman, I don't mind stepping in."

Murray was puzzled.

Beverley fumed. "Look at the attitude on Roseanne. It all boils down to your spoiling her!"

Murray tensed slightly, "Roseanne? What happened?"

"And you ask! I ran into her at Kingswell University's library. I gave her a piece of my mind, and she blew up, accusing me of being harsh and mocking me as an uneducated woman! She's from a lower-class background, no manners whatsoever!"

Murray frowned. "You met her at the library?"

Beverley nodded immediately. "Yep. Instead of staying home, cooking, and tidying up, she's there pretending to be an intellectual, thinking it'll make me respect her. Dream on!"

"She even said she'd broken up with you and that from now on, we're strangers! Who talks to their elders like that? Does she not want to be part of the Sherwood family anymore?" Murray's gaze darkened even more.

Suddenly, Beverley asked, "So, you two broke up?"

He blurted out, "How could we?"

Beverley disdained, "Hmph! I knew it! A girl like that, who's landed a golden ticket, isn't going to give it up easily! Make sure you give her a good talk when you get back!" Listening to Beverley's rant, Murray grew increasingly irritated.

"Mom," he interrupted, "enough. I've got another meeting soon. I'll have someone drive you home."

"But I have..." Seeing her son's mood darken further, Beverley wisely shut her mouth.

"Okay then, I'll leave for today. But don't let Roseanne off easy. Women need to be kept in line and tamed properly, then they'll listen!"

"Sure." After seeing Beverley off, Murray loosened his tie and exhaled deeply.

Gazing out the window at the setting sun, he wasn't in a hurry to return to his mansion. Remembering Millie's birthday was around the corner, he texted Cliff about what to get her. Cliff instantly replied, [Women love jewelry. Maybe a bracelet or a necklace would do.]

Murray texted, [I'm clueless about these things. Let's go together.]

Cliff was speechless, 'What? Do I, a freaking bachelor, seem like a jewelry expert?'

They met up at the downtown SKP.

Inside the jewelry store, the sales associate asked with a smile. "What are you looking for?"

Murray answered, "Something for my girlfriend."

"How about this ladies' necklace? Its heart design is subtle yet sweet, perfect for a young woman..."

Clueless about jewelry, Cliff quickly lost interest and started looking around.

Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Roseanne?"

Murray stiffened for a moment before turning around casually.

Leda was at a business dinner and couldn't leave the office, so she asked Roseanne to pick up a custom jewelry set on her behalf. Running into them was the last thing she expected.

She smiled at Cliff. "Cliff."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"It's been a while. Been busy?" He glanced over at Murray briefly. "Since we're all here, how about grabbing dinner together?"