Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The commotion outside quickly drew the attention of the ladies gathered in the private dining room at the upscale bistro.

There, in the midst of the chaos, was Beverley, her hair a mess, being accosted by another woman who was shouting at the top of her lungs.

What a spectacle!

This had to be juicy gossip!

The ladies exchanged knowing glances, their curiosity piqued.

Maisie, sensing an audience, became even more animated: "Everyone, come take a look! This woman here, her son toyed with my daughter's affections, got her pregnant, and is now refusing to take responsibility!"

"My daughter was pure and innocent, and now her life is ruined! And this woman has the audacity to avoid me? Do they think we're pushovers just because we're not from their fancy circles?"

As she spoke, Maisie was rolling up her sleeves, ready for a confrontation.

"Someone get their phones out and record this! Post it online, let the public judge. Let's see what kind of filth the Sherwood family really is, what kind of person Beverley is, and expose her worthless son as the irresponsible jerk he is!" Farley, eager to support his mother, blocked the restaurant staff from intervening and whipped out his phone, aiming it at Beverley.

While recording, he shouted, "Serves you right! You Sherwoods think you can wrong my sister and get away with it? Think again!" Beverley, finally snapping to her senses, frantically tried to cover her face while dodging Maisie's grasps, the picture of distress. "Stop filming! Your daughter was no saint herself; what's that got to do with my son?"

"I've been more than fair to her. It was her own doing that she lost the child. Let go of me! If you keep this up, I-I'll call the police!"

Maisie, far from being deterred, put her hands on her hips and scoffed, "Call them, and let's see who's in the right. I might be from the sticks, but I'm not afraid to lose face. I wonder if your high and mighty family can say the same." Beverley stiffened at that remark.

That last comment hit her where it hurt.

"I'm warning you, if we don't get satisfaction today, you're not going anywhere! Farley, grab her!"

"You-you wouldn't dare-"

Farley pocketed his phone, a malicious grin on his face. "Oh, wouldn't I-"

"Aah! Get off me! Don't touch me!" Beverley screamed.

Ultimately it was the chauffeur and a few security guards who showed up just in time to rescue Beverley from Farley's grip and safelyescort her to her car.

Farley turned to his mother, saying, "She got away, Mom, what do we do now?"

Maisie squinted her eyes, a sly smile on her face, "She can run, but she can't hide. Let's head back."

"The hospitalPlease check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

somewh reeks. Can't we stay

else?" Farley

complained, feeling the antiseptic smell clinging to him.

nt

"Switching places costs money, kiddo. Bear with it for now. Once we get that compensation, we can'

afford a five-star hotel if you dike!"

Swnev

"That's true," Farley said, revealing a toothy grin. "My sister sure knows how to pick 'em..."

The woman from earlier clearly came from money.

...

Murray had been away on business due to a project hiccup in the South for a week.

During his trip, aside from work-related calls, his personal phone was on Do Not Disturb.

No one could get through to him.

It wasn't until the backlog at the office became too much to handle without his signature that he finally returned.

As soon as his plane landed, Murray took out his phone and turned off Do Not Disturb.

Within minutes, Beverley's call came through.

"Hello, Mom..."